Adeniji Foundation of Statistical Science, on Thursday, held its inaugural graduation ceremony.
Speaking during the occasion, which was held at the Foundation Office, beside Ibadan Business School, Francis Okediji Street, Old Bodija, Ibadan, the Founder, Dr Bidemi Adeniji, noted that the occasion marked the achievement of a milestone of a dream.
He added that the Foundation is preoccupied with training students towards a globally recognized skill.
According to him, over the course of the year, from January through the concluded week, the students received 24 weeks of formal classroom instructions in statistical programming as applied to the pharmaceutical industry.
He added that after 24 weeks of formal classroom instruction, they received an additional 12 weeks of paid internship, which culminated in the graduation ceremony.
In his words: “Today, we celebrate the graduation of AFSS Inaugural class. This graduation marks the achievement of a milestone of a dream. I dream that this area of the world is globally recognized as a hub for data science and statistical science. The first step towards that dream begins with training students towards a globally recognized skill.
“In total, students received 36 weeks of training, plus we held invited talks and seminars on various topics such as interview preparation, résumé building, and actual interviews.
“I want to underscore that the totality of training offered was free to all students. None of the students paid a single Kobo.”
Bemoaning the exodus of Nigerian youth to foreign lands which, according to him, is a humanitarian crisis, he noted that the foundation was conceived on the spirit of service, and built to address the challenge of lack of technology, infrastructure, and education.
“We have provided the Technology, Infrastructure, and Education so that our youth may eventually, significantly, and purposefully contribute to the economy of this land rather than electing to Japa.
“The exodus of our youth onto foreign land is a humanitarian crisis. This foundation was conceived on the spirit of service, and it was built to address the trifecta of the lack of technology, infrastructure and education. We have provided the technology, infrastructure, and education so that our youth may eventually, significantly, and purposefully contribute to the economy of this land rather than electing to Japa,” He added.
The guest speaker, Dr. Omoyajowo, while congratulating the graduands, described the occasion as the celebration of a remarkable beginning in the annals of the institution, saying that the event marked the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and intellectual curiosity.
Omoyajowo commended them for successfully navigating through the complexities of statistical methodologies, and emerging as experts in the field of statistical science.
He, however, charged them to use the skills they have acquired not just for their personal and professional growth but for the betterment of society as a whole.
“As you step into the next phase of your lives, remember that the skills you’ve acquired here are not just for your personal and professional growth but for the betterment of society as a whole. The world needs individuals who can make sense of the ever-expanding data landscape, who can draw meaningful conclusions, and who can guide us toward informed and equitable decisions,” said Omoyajowo.
He concluded that the graduands should step out into the world, carry the torch of statistical science with pride, and let their light illuminate the path for others.
