By Adeyemi Rosiji
Lead City University, Ibadan, has urged students to embrace entrepreneurship, innovation and self-reliance as essential tools for personal development and national growth.
The charge was given at the 14th edition of the POISE 2026 event organised by the Institute of Personality Development and Customer Relationship Management (IPD-CRM) at the Adelaide Hall of the institution.
The event attracted a large number of students, academic and non-academic staff, community members, alumni and other well-wishers who gathered to celebrate excellence, leadership and entrepreneurship among students.
Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the programme, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Kabiru Adeyemo, described the POISE Awards and Dinner as a longstanding initiative aimed at nurturing entrepreneurial skills and positive values among students.
According to him, the programme, which began about 14 years ago, has remained a key component of the university’s efforts to equip students with the skills and mindset required to succeed beyond the classroom.
“The programme is designed for our final-year students who have been imparted with various skills and entrepreneurial competencies. We want our students to become self-reliant, job creators and employers of labour rather than job seekers.
“As you can see, many of our students have showcased their talents and innovative abilities. This is an asset to the university and we are proud of what they have achieved,” he said.
Adeyemo noted that the institution’s commitment to entrepreneurship education has continued to yield positive results, with many of its alumni emerging as successful entrepreneurs, chief executives and industry leaders across different sectors.
He called on other universities to adopt similar initiatives that encourage innovation, creativity and practical skills development among students.
“We are not competing with other universities. There is a lot we can learn from one another. As Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Private Universities in Nigeria, I believe institutions should collaborate and replicate good initiatives that contribute to national development,” he added.
Earlier, the Head of the Institute of Personality Development and Customer Relationship Management and initiator of the programme, Dr. Ayobami Owolabi, said the event was designed to reinforce the values, character and soft skills that students had acquired during their years of study.
He explained that beyond academic knowledge, students must cultivate qualities such as discipline, respect, effective communication, proper dressing, leadership and interpersonal skills.
“The students should be able to put into practice the values we have imparted in them over time. They must demonstrate good character, professionalism and soft skills in their daily lives if they are to succeed in their chosen careers,” he said.
Owolabi stressed that personality development remains a critical ingredient for success in today’s competitive environment, noting that employers increasingly place premium on character, communication and leadership abilities.
Also speaking, the Registrar of the institute, Prof. Lambert Ihebuzor, administered an oath of allegiance on the students, charging them to uphold and promote the ideals and philosophy of the institute and the university.
As part of the activities marking the event, outstanding students and lecturers were honoured with awards in various categories, including entrepreneurship, leadership, professionalism, innovation, outstanding dress sense and Young CEO Award.
The organisers said the recognition was aimed at encouraging excellence, rewarding hard work and inspiring students to become responsible leaders and contributors to society.
The event featured exhibitions, presentations and networking sessions showcasing the entrepreneurial and creative abilities of students, reinforcing the university’s commitment to producing graduates equipped for leadership, innovation and self-reliance in a rapidly changing world.
