Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
Former president of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Dr. Felix Omobude, has said he sold newspapers on the streets of Benin to sponsor his education.
He revealed this on the Fire side chat with Papa by the youth community during a colloquium to mark his 80th birthday celebration at the Light House University, Evbuobanosa in Orhionwmon Local Government Area of Edo State.
Dr. Omobude said being a newspaper vendor back then was because he wanted to go to school.
Omobude narrated how he also went to pluck cherry while his mates were all in school just because his parents could not afford it.
He noted that all his childhood experiences and poor family background shaped his life and make him a better person, adding that, having been blessed by God, he decided to set up institutions where he can make life better for Nigerians, even the less privileged in the society.
The Chancellor and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the university, Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude, pointed out that the best decision he has ever made in his life was to have given his life to Christ.
The octogenarian said such singular action changed his entire life for good, urging youths to give their lives to the same God who has turned his life around.
He further urged Nigerians to always keep dreaming big, stressing that the day one stops dreaming, that marks the end of his life.
The former PFN president also urged Nigerians to see challenges as part of man’s existence noting that, life without challenges, become boring but however, in all the challenges, God always makes out a way.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor, Light House University, Prof. Osemwegie Osarenkhoe Omorefosa appealed to political actors and traditional institution to join in the advocacy for a review of the present laws to allow private universities to benefit from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
He also called on well meaning Nigerians to contribute their quota in the forms of building of hostels, library, granting of scholarships etc, noting that throughout history, great institutions have always thrived through the partnership of visionary leaders and philanthropists and global citizens who believe in the power of education to transform societies.
Prof. Omorefosa added that universities such as Harvard, Oxford and others became global forces largely because individuals of means and influence invested generously in the future.
Speaking on the theme: “Faith, knowledge and education: Panacea for freedom and national development”, the keynote speaker, Prof. Omokhoa Adeleye, said knowledge and education are keys to national development.
He noted that despite the challenges faced by christian schools, they are still waxing stronger and contributing immensely to economic growth in the country.
Prof. Adeleye, while urging christian individuals to build more christian institutions, said they must exceed the minimum standard set by the National Universities Commission (NUC), desist from examination malpractices and be an example of excellence and efficiencies.
Adeleye further appealed to religious bodies that run institutions to be bold enough to speak against the ills in the society when the need arises.
