Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

  The entire community of Augustine University, Ilara- Epe gathered together on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 to thank God for its tenth year of operation. The Chief Celebrant who is also the Proprietor, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, started the thanksgiving Mass thus:

  “My dear brothers, my dear sisters, we gather today in obedience to the word of God which says to us, ‘in all things give thanks, because that is what God expect of you’, so we have come in thanksgiving to God for all that He has done in the life of this Institution (AUI), for his family, for all the activities of this past ten years, for all those who have been part of the life of the Institution in the past ten years, that the Lord in His goodness will receive our offerings; bless this University as it journeys into the future, so that all who passed through the gate of the Institution will feel the joy and the presence of God, not only while they are here but also throughout the days of their lives.

  Ten priests celebrated the Thanksgiving Mass with Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins, with members of the Board of Trustees, Governing Council, Management team, Staff and Students, as well as parents of the students.

   Also in attendance was the traditional ruler of Ilara – Epe; Alara of Ilara Kingdom, HRM Oba (Dr.) Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, (Telade IV) and his Chiefs, former First Lady of Lagos State and the Mother of the Institution’s Chancellor, Lady Doja Otedola; the Religions and others so numerous to mention.

In his homily, the Chief Celebrant appreciated all, starting from the Visioner & Project lnitiator, His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Okogie, the Archbishop Emeritus of Lagos; Priests and Religious, members of Governing Council; the Chancellor; the Board of Trustees; Management team, Staff members, students and all the dignitaries in attendance.

 His Grace said God has been the power behind the human and infrastructural development that the university has attained in ten years and that God is still the hope of the institution for the future. He added the Thanksgiving Mass was also an opportunity to lift up in prayer, those used by God to bring AUI into existence and those that have ensured the growth of the institution towards fulfilment of the purpose for which it was established, those gone and those present, too numerous to mention. “We can only lift all of them to God in prayers, may God bless them.”

The Archbishop quoting Acts 20:25 enjoined all to support the institution the more as he said thin sowing is thin reaping. He added that the institution has been able to fulfil its purpose because of wills to help, though not in millions but in thousands that are regular.

Also making reference to the institution’s Patron, St. Augustine, His Grace said “Education should lead to a deeper understanding of the truth and the transformation of life”. That education should be more than acquiring knowledge but it should help to cultivate wisdom, virtues, love of God and so he admonished the Members of Staff to help discover the talents in the students by constantly building a culture that is working for the common good to make the world a better place.

Stressing on the institution’s Motto. “PRO SCIENTIA ET MORIBUS” meaning for learning and character, His Grace stated that learning and character have not always been achieved in the society, hence all the problems confronting us today. He therefore charged the Students and Staff members to maintain the Motto of the institution.

The Archbishop also used the occasion to confirm 29 students of the institution. His Grace congratulated the newly confirmed, stating that they are now adults in the faith having received the sacrament of confirmation, the fullness of the sacrament of Initiation. “You are being recruited into the soldier of Christ; people to bear witness by your way of life, conduct, speech and all things. Take your new assignment seriously, may God bless you with the grace you need”. His Grace prayed.

   The Chaplain, Rev. Fr Tayo Andrew had earlier introduced the candidates to the Archbishop. He also gave a vote of thanks after the Mass. There were thanksgiving, first by the newly confirmed, followed by the entire AUI community.

The second part of the day’s activities, launch of Brochure, took place inside the Convocation Hall immediately after the Holy Mass, where the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Christopher Odetunde welcomed all, followed by brief remarks by the Proprietor, Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins; the Chancellor, Mr Femi Otedola, CON represented by Mr Philip Akinola; the BOT Chairman, Sir Steve Omojator; the Pro- Chancellor, Chief Gilberd Grant.

The institution’s department of Mass Communication and Media Studies presented an anniversary documentary. This was followed by the unveiling of the 10th Anniversary Brochure and call for book launchers and supporters.

     Vote of thanks was done by the Registrar, Mrs Margaret Aziba while Director of Operation, Dr. Emmanuel Ogundele (Rev. Fr) gave closing prayer and the Archbishop blessed all. Prior to the Thanksgiving Mass, the institution had on the previous day embarked on “Walk for Wellness” in commemoration of the 10th anniversary, while there will be Convocation and Public Lecture/Annual Abimbola-Mulele Endowment Lecture in the months of October and November respectively.