Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged young people to embrace patience and courage, which he described as virtues that pay off in life.
Atiku who is the founder of Yola-based American University of Nigeria, AUN, told the Class of 2025 who formally exited the university on Saturday that he had personally found out how well patience pays.
“I’ve faced tribulations. Patience is not weakness. It is a weapon of the wise. When we resisted military dictatorship, they offered me a governorship without an election — I rejected it. In 1999, I earned it the right way and became vice president,” he said.
He described education as the ultimate game changer, adding that the AUN, which he established in 2003, is designed to mould young people with minds to change their world in pragmatic ways.
In his address at the graduation ceremony of the university on Saturday, the President (Vice Chancellor) of the AUN, Dr DeWayne Frazier gave further insight to what the university is intended to do for its students.
The American system oriented AUN, Frazier said, was established for lifelong learners who are prepared for the ever changing global landscape, providing students with comprehensive education for future careers.
“Another unique feature of AUN and American-style education is the focus on entrepreneurship,” he added.
More than 200 students, mostly those who undertook undergraduate programs, officially exited the AUN during the graduation ceremony.