Fast, Easy Money Has Consequences, Fashola Warns Graduating Students

Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, the former governor of Lagos State, has cautioned University of Ilorin graduates against falling into the trap of quick and easy money.

According to him, such endeavors frequently have dire repercussions.
He revealed this during the university’s 40th Convocation Lecture, which was titled “The Gen Z Playbook: Navigating Work and the Real World.”

Fashola addressed the 11,886 graduating students that discipline, hard effort, and honesty are the only permanent roads to achievement in life.

The younger generation must fight the increasing social pressure to obtain wealth through unethical means, according to the former Minister of Works, Housing, and Power.

He emphasized that no quick route to prosperity is free and advised them to stay away from partnerships or businesses that show off their inexplicable wealth.

“Nowhere in the world is there easy and quick money that does not have consequences,” he said.

Fashola counseled the pupils to embrace the virtues of effort and caution and to approach life’s obstacles with patience.

“Your life is on the line, so put in a lot of effort. Make friends with your coworkers during your NYSC exercise, show consideration for your hosts’ personal space, and don’t take advantage of their hospitality,” he continued.

He encouraged them to welcome their posting under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, characterizing it as a chance to gain knowledge about Nigeria’s social and cultural variety.

“You will encounter various cuisines, cultures, and customs,” he said. Accept them. My friendships from my youth service 38 years ago are still with me now.

After the service year, Fashola advised the graduates to maintain their humility and get ready for life without the monthly stipend.

“There will be no further stipends after service. He advised staying near relatives since they will support you during difficult times.

He emphasized that financial discipline is essential to stability and urged them to develop the habit of saving at every stage of life.

“Never engage in acts they will later be ashamed of and always find opportunities in difficulties,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr. Abiodun Aluko, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to aid students who are in need.

Additionally, he expressed gratitude to the President for granting the N50 billion academic earned allowance, characterizing it as a resolution to a long-running dispute that dates back to 2022.

Professor Wahab Egbewole (SAN), the vice chancellor, reported that ten members of the university’s faculty were recently included as some of the most referenced researchers on Google Scholar.

He went on to say that 36 of the university’s 37 programs have full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC), while one had interim certification.

11,868 students graduated this year, according to Egbewole, with 316 receiving First Class, 4,120 receiving Second Class (Upper Division), 5,939 receiving Second Class (Lower Division), 1,078 receiving Third Class, and 11 receiving Pass.

Additionally, 175 MB;BS graduates, 94 nursing graduates, 40 optometrists, 36 veterinary medicine graduates, 64 physiotherapy graduates, and 13 diploma holders were generated by the convocation.

He said that 1,520 advanced degrees, including 234 PhDs, 916 Master’s degrees, 188 Professional Master’s degrees, and 182 Postgraduate Diplomas, would be granted.