Delta State-born President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) at Brunel University London, Ogheneruemurode Richard Iyede Jnr, has challenged the institution’s graduating class of the institution to deploy their knowledge and talents in advancing peace, strengthening communities and transforming humanity rather than fuelling division and conflict.
Iyede Jnr, who hails from the Udu and Agbarha-Warri Kingdoms of Delta State, delivered the stirring charge on Monday while addressing graduates at the university’s graduation ceremony.
The Urhobo-born student, who was recently elected SUG President of Brunel University, described graduation as one of the most defining milestones in life, urging the graduates to see it as the beginning of a greater responsibility to society.
In a speech that drew applause from graduates, parents, academics, dignitaries, and now trending on social media, Iyede Jnr saying, “Whether you realize it or not, this marks one of the most significant achievements of your lives.
“You have now symbolically crossed the Rubicon. It signals to employers, institutions, to your loved ones, and above all, to yourselves, that you have reached a point in your journey where you now carry your knowledge, your talents, and your character out into the world to make your own contribution.”
He told the graduates that the possibilities before them were limitless, declaring before the graduands that, “Your imagination is your only limit”.
Reflecting on Brunel University’s multicultural environment, Iyede Jnr said studying alongside people from different cultural, religious and social backgrounds had prepared the graduates to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
“You have studied, debated, struggled and celebrated alongside people from different cultures, faiths and different stories. That is a gift, and therein also lies a very important lesson. Progress is strongest when it is shared. Humanity is not one narrow story, but a beautiful collection of many.”
Acknowledging the global challenges confronting the present generation, the Delta-born student leader noted that the world is grappling with conflict, inequality and growing uncertainty.
He, however, maintained that graduates possess the capacity to rewrite the narrative through innovation driven by compassion and service.
“We are not naive to the conflict, division and inequality that surrounds us. Nor to the fact that some of the finest technical minds of our age have turned their skills toward exploitation and destruction.
“But within all of you, there is the creative power to go forward and make a truly great difference to the world because the same knowledge that can harm can heal”, he added.
Iyede Jnr urged the graduates to look beyond personal success and consider the broader impact of their achievements on humanity.
“The question before you today is not only what you will achieve, but what your achievements will serve.
“Will your innovation uplift humanity? Will your work bring people closer to one another and to the earth that sustains us?”
Expressing confidence in the graduating class, he challenged them to become ambassadors of peace, collaboration and hope.
“My hope and my confidence as your newly elected Students’ Union President is that you will go into the world as beacons of light, choosing peace over conflict, building collaboration.
“Let your success be measured not only in titles and salaries, but in the lives you improve, the communities you strengthen and the future you make possible for those who come after us.”
He further encouraged the graduates to remain resilient in difficult times, reminding them that they belong to what he described as “the greatest family on this planet — the human family.”
“Go forward with courage, go forward with humility, go forward with kindness and love for the world and for all future generations,” he said.
