Financial expert and chairman of United Kingdom–based Ultra Goldfield Logistics Limited, Dr Bade Adeshina, has been conferred with an honorary doctorate by Edwin Clark University (ECU), Kiagbodo, Delta State.
Adeshina received the Doctor of Management Science (D.MSc) (Honoris Causa) in Entrepreneurial Finance and Management during the institution’s combined 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th convocation ceremony, held on Saturday.
Late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark founded the varsity.
In his acceptance speech, Adeshina expressed deep appreciation for the recognition, linking it to his lifelong commitment to building institutions and advancing ethical leadership.
“I thank the Senate and leadership of Edwin Clark University for the confidence reposed in me and my work. Your recognition strengthens my belief that steady service, ethical leadership and commitment to learning remain essential for building strong institutions and a stronger nation,” he said.
Reflecting on his professional journey, he added, “My journey in finance, governance and institutional development has been shaped by the lessons I gained through education, the guidance of the Almighty and the invaluable encouragement from my colleagues and my family… This award is not only a personal honour; it is a reminder for me to continue to contribute where my skills and experience can make a meaningful difference.”
He urged young Nigerians to remain committed to integrity, noting, “I hope my story encourages young Nigerians to pursue excellence with discipline, and lead with integrity wherever they find themselves.”
Adeshina also praised institutions of learning for their crucial role in national development, saying, “On occasions such as this, we must appreciate the role that citadels of learning in our country must continue to play in rebuilding Nigeria… This university deserves all the support we as alumni can provide.”
The ceremony also saw the award of honorary doctorate degree on the Chairman Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo.
He was represented by his media adviser, Dr Paul Bebenimibo.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by a state government officials, Augustine Itawasa, commended the school management and students for the achievements recorded in the past 10 years.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor, Engr. Prof. Samuel Tita Wara, announced that a total of 463 graduates were conferred with various degrees.
These included nine registered nurses and midwives (the pioneer set), 450 undergraduates; 36 first-class graduates, 218 second-class upper, 193 second class lower, 13 third class, and three postgraduate students, marking the university’s first postgraduate class.
Ogio Anita Ominizibe, with a CGPA of 4.91, emerged the overall best graduating student.
Charging the graduands on their future responsibilities, Wara said they must go out “as ambassadors of light, go and build bridges, not walls, promote inclusion, integrity and innovation, be voices of transformation innevery sector… the world awaits their leadership, ideas and light.”
Chancellor and Chairman of the Edwin Kiagbodo Clark Foundation, Dr. Collins Clark, highlighted the university’s rising reputation, noting that ECU now ranks 17th among 98 private universities and 32nd among all universities nationwide.
The Pro-Chancellor reaffirmed the founder’s vision for “quality education with minimal fees,” while acknowledging the support of the Bayelsa State Government, Niger Delta Development Commission, the Presidential Amnesty Programme and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited in strengthening the institution.
Delivering the convocation lecture, David Daser, President of Digital Bridge Institute, spoke on the theme, ‘Africa’s Digital Destiny: Building Human Capital for a Connected Future,” where he stressed the need for digital literacy, noting that “digital literacy must become as fundamental as reading and writing,” and emphasized that Africa’s competitive advantage will come from its people rather than natural resources.
Speaking on the sidelines, Adeshina reiterated his commitment to community service, saying: “I feel very excited in serving people in the community… people in Kiagbodo, people in Nigeria as a whole, in terms of education, in terms of support.”
His wife, several friends and associates praised his dedication and character.
Adeshina’s wife, Mrs. Olanike, expressed gratitude for the honour. “He has been a very meticulous person… Now adding this feather to his cap… we’re happy for this,” she said.
She added that external recognition often carried deeper meaning: “At times, you may not even recognize somebody in your household, but when people from outside now sees him and recognize him, it means so much.”
A close associate, Ade Odunewu, who has known the awardee for more than five decades, offered a particularly emotional tribute.
“I have been a friend of the awardee, Dr. Bade Adeshina in the last 51 years. We met at the University of Lagos, 1973-74 and since then, we have been very good friends. For me to follow him all the way from Lagos, you can see how close we are. We have been very close,” he said.
Describing Adeshina, he added: “He is a very humble person. Very thorough and somebody who loves humanity… He is willing to do anything for a friend. It is an award that is worthy and that he deserves. I have witnessed some other awards that he has received in the past.”
Odunewu also highlighted Adeshina’s traditional and professional standing.
“He is the Sarakiyadeen of Oshogboland… a respected person. A thorough professional, a banker of repute for many years. We both run a company together. Most of the things I do, we are both involved. He is a worthy friend that you will be happy you have as a friend.”
Explaining why Adeshina deserved the honorary doctorate, Odunwu said: “Oh, he deserves this award because he had taken part in the management and running of some universities before… He was in the council of LAUTECH… He worked together with the pro-chancellor of Edwin Clark University and that is where they met.”
Confident in his friend’s future contributions, he added: “Anything he lays his hands on, he wants it to be successful… in the next two, three, four, five years, they will see the difference.”
Echoing similar sentiments, longtime friend Sulaiman Babalola Esq. described him as “highly methodical, very tenacious and highly resourceful,” adding that the recognition from the Southsouth reflected his nationwide impact.
Prince Labi Emokpare described him as “an articulate person, straightforward… He has done very well for humanity, for the community, for this country.”
A family member, Oyekanmi, said he is “a mentor to many… he sets good example.”
Dignitaries from various tertiary institutions such as the Delta State University, Abraka, Dennis Osadebey University, Novena University, Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State Maritime Institute, Burutu, the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Universities among others attended the ceremony, underscoring its significance.
The event marked another milestone for ECU and reaffirmed Adeshina’s lasting contributions to finance, management and national development.
