“Imagine you went skydiving and you jumped out of the plane only to discover your parachute doesn’t work. What memories would flash before you? Now imagine the parachute opened. How differently would you act when you landed?”

You have been our open working parachute despite the grudges and differences between us. It is with great pleasure and a deep sense of responsibility that I write this to you.

I thank you for giving me the rare and extraordinary opportunity to lead the calebites once again towards the Canaan land. I am humble, and I do not take this for granted.

This Alumni network is for all graduates from Caleb university who gets any degree from the university. Since the inauguration of the new Executive Council in October 2022, we have been busy, working hard to deliver value to you in diverse ways. From the data base collation, to general outreach to alumni members. We have also been at the fore front of negotiation with the university on various challenges like transcript, academic references and so on. The current executives have also looked to complete the existing basketball court project.

There are three important thoughts with the current graduates;

Firstly, I would ask that we please overlook, forgive and forget any grudge you have towards your colleagues, the alumni or the university. We understand and we have felt what you are feeling. we ask for inclusiveness and your co-operation as the alumni network sole aim is to create a network and a supportive community for ourselves. To achieve this, we need all hands-on deck. The more hands we have on deck. the more we are able to achieve as a group. Kindly join your set group chats or visit our website https://calebunialumni.com/

Secondly, as we all know the JAPA syndrome is catching everyone and we are all looking for better opportunities abroad. In the light of this, I beseech you not forget home and your alma mater. At this age you will experience the real world. Life gets more difficult as you get older. This is when you step into your fears and get them under control. Life is too boring without accepting challenges. The challenges are really fun. So don’t worry about what will happen tomorrow or after a year. Stop worrying about your life and work hard in the present. Focus on living the present fully. Remember to be good ambassadors of your family and the society you hail from.

Lastly to the fresh graduates, do not forget God. Find ways to serve him as it is one of the best investments you can do during your lifetime. (Ecclesiastes 12:1) Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them” wherever you are and whatever situation you find yourself reach out and hold on to your creator.

I would like to thank the University management who has supported the growth and establishing of the association. It has been a challenging but yet fruitful journey. People have given their time, efforts, financial resources, ideas, skills, and more for the network. The alumni network is still very young and there is no way we can achieve our aims if we do not have all hands-on deck.

The network can only become what we make it. There are ways to serve in the network and it is time for you to leave the bench and get on the pitch to join the moving train.

I would like to address a few misconceptions about the association. The Alumni network is a body and we have a binding constitution. The University does not select officials for us. We are in total control of every aspect of the association. The network is for all students who graduated from the university regardless of the type of degree. The association is to help graduates network with one another, support one another in this challenging world.

I, therefore, use this medium to plead that we voluntarily let go of feelings and thoughts of resentment, bitterness, anger, vengeance, and retribution towards one another or the University. we should let peace reign as the benefits of forgiveness are enormous. We should become good ambassadors to the university and avoid spreading negative news about the university in remembrance that we carry the certificates. Negative information spreads easily and this has a way of affecting the way the society and the labour market perceive us.

Finally, “Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” — Anais Nin.

I would like to encourage every one of us to join the various platforms, connect with old friends, set groups, graduating sets groups, and with the various alumni worldwide. Do not connect and just be an observer, but connect to make and receive positive impacts. Remembering we are Calebites and we should be like Caleb who was courageous and persevered when the other spies became discouraged. He was invincible in driving out giants, completely devoted to God. He never lowered his standards and giants didn’t fear Caleb nor the dastards who were ready to stone. The economy and life are like giants and like the Israelites, we shall prevail.

We pray for grace, favor, and protection for each one of us to excel and prevail in all aspects of our lives and our chosen fields. We all know I am a man of few words, so I would like to end this very short speech by saying God bless you, God bless Caleb Alumni, God bless Caleb University, God bless Nigeria.

Yours in service.

Odefadehan, Tayo Christian
President.
Caleb University Alumni Network.