Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, has conferred honorary Doctor of Letters degrees on the Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, and the Chairman of Cavista Holdings, Niyi John Olajide.
The honours were bestowed at the university’s 14th convocation ceremony, which featured the graduation of 2,194 students.
Personalities at the convocation included the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe; the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu; the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III; the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN; Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN; and former Governor Segun Oni.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Oyebanji hailed Olajide and Okonkwo for their contributions to business development and investments in Ekiti State.
He described the duo as accomplished international entrepreneurs who have complemented the state government’s drive to attract private investment, generate employment and accelerate industrialization.
“I want to sincerely extend the same congratulatory message to my brother, Mr John Niyi Olajide, an accomplished innovator, international businessman and a passionate Ekiti compatriot. Even though he has made good fortunes for himself abroad, he has joined in the vision of our government to promote private investment and industrialize the state,” Oyebanji said.
“Through his Cavista Holdings, the parent owners of Agbeyewa Farms and Glocient Hospitality, he has invested millions of dollars in Ekiti economy, employing hundreds of people and transforming both the agriculture and tourism landscape of Ekiti State. He is in charge of the ongoing transformation of Ikogosi Warm Spring Resorts to a world class tourist destination,” he added.
The governor noted that Olajide has become the second biggest investor in Ekiti after Aare Afe Babalola, while Prof. Okonkwo’s investment in aviation made it possible for the state to record over 10,000 passengers at the Ekiti Cargo International Airport since commercial flights commenced on December 10, 2025.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, also praised the honorees, describing them as outstanding personalities whose commitment to job creation and entrepreneurship deserve recognition.
The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adejugbe, called for greater private-sector participation in the state’s development, saying Ekiti needed more entrepreneurs willing to commit resources and expertise to building its economy.
Another highlight of the event was the conferment of honorary Doctor of Laws degrees on the founder of the university, Aare Afe Babalola, by Trinity Western University, Canada, and Trinity International University, United States.
In his remarks, Aare Babalola described the convocation as the best moment of his life and urged the graduating students to be good ambassadors and problem solvers.
Giving the breakdown, the university said 1,759 completed undergraduate and professional programmes while 435 graduated from postgraduate programmes, with 286 bagging First Class, 824 Second Class Upper, 234 Second Class Lower and 29 Third Class.