Students of the Rivers State University have been urged to step into the world as innovators and problem-solvers, not as people waiting for government jobs.
This call came during the university’s 37th and 38th convocation lecture held yesterday, where speakers challenged the graduating students to rethink their future and embrace entrepreneurship.
Dumo Lulu-Briggs, former governorship candidate of the Accord Party and chairman of the event, told the students that the world they are entering is no longer driven by mineral resources but by creativity and innovation.
He reminded them that society is shaped by people who dare to build solutions.
“The world our graduates are entering is shaped not by mineral wealth but by creativity, adaptability, and courage,” he said.
He encouraged them to look around, identify what is missing, and develop ideas that are profitable, scalable, and useful. Lulu-Briggs added that technology has become a universal language, and students must use it to prepare for careers that did not exist ten years ago.
“Above all, people remain at the centre of progress. Empathy, integrity, courage, and service build strong institutions and nations,” he added.
The guest lecturer, Dr. Daere Akobo, speaking on Joint University–Industry Ventures: Entrepreneurship, Technology, Sustainability and People, urged the students to adopt the mindset of nation builders.
He said they stand at the intersection of technology, sustainability, people, and systems, and must use their knowledge to create real solutions.
“Do not leave this university thinking of yourselves only as job seekers. See yourselves also as nation builders,” he said.
He reminded them that entrepreneurship is not just about owning a business, but about identifying what can be improved.
“If you adopt that mindset, you will never be idle because there will always be something to fix and someone to serve,” he added.
Akobo also encouraged the university and its partners to keep supporting applied research and innovation.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Isaac Zep-Obipi, said RSU is committed to driving growth through innovation and stronger ties between academia and industry.
He noted that society’s challenges demand fresh ideas and collaborative solutions that can create new opportunities and grow the economy.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
