The university also conferred honorary Doctorate Degrees on Paul Odili, Founder and CEO of Paulo Group of Companies; Prof. Yusuf Ali, SAN; and Emmanuel Issa, in recognition of their contributions to society.

Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, said the honourees were selected based on their character, achievements, and commitment to excellence.

He urged graduating students to focus on what they can contribute to national development, stressing that character, discipline, and integrity would determine their success beyond the classroom.

According to him, certificates may open doors, but personal values and conduct will shape long-term achievements.

The Vice Chancellor also reminded the graduates to uphold the reputation of the institution wherever they go.

Fawehinmi disclosed that the 29th convocation covered the 2022/2023 academic session, while the 30th covered 2023/2024, with thousands graduating across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Speaking after receiving his honorary award, Dr. Odili dedicated the recognition to Nigerians with dreams and encouraged young people to remain persistent in pursuing their goals.

He also pledged support for the university, promising collaboration aimed at addressing key challenges facing the institution.

Momodu was reacting to comments by activist Zekeri Idris Jnr, a supporter of Peter Obi, who urged Atiku to step aside over concerns about his age, which would be about 80 by 2027.

In a post on his X handle on Saturday, Momodu said attention should be focused on holding the government accountable rather than targeting Atiku’s political ambition.

The exchange followed a viral video where Idris insisted that Atiku should support younger aspirants instead of contesting, arguing that voters would not back an elderly candidate.

Idris also suggested that Atiku should act as a statesman and support younger politicians such as Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and others.

Responding, Momodu cited several world leaders who held office at advanced ages, arguing that experience should not be dismissed in leadership discussions.

He questioned what should disqualify Atiku from contesting, insisting that age alone is not a valid reason.

Atiku, who lost the 2023 presidential election to President Bola Tinubu, is reportedly considering another run in 2027 under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

It was gathered that the attackers invaded the monarch’s palace around 1:40 a.m. on Saturday, firing shots into the air to scare residents before abducting the victims and taking them to an unknown location.

A resident confirmed the incident, saying it has thrown the community into fear and confusion, especially as the monarch was recently installed and officially recognised by the state government.

According to the source, the attackers took the monarch, his wife, and one other person during the raid.

The Chairman of Ifelodun LGA, Abdulrasheed Yusuf, who visited the community, described the incident as troubling and assured that efforts were underway to secure the release of the victims.

He said a joint operation involving security agencies, local vigilantes, and forest guards had already been launched across nearby forests and surrounding communities.

Yusuf appealed for calm, urging residents to support security operatives with useful information that could aid rescue efforts and help restore peace to the area.