Local News
Nigeria Celebrates First PathwayConnect Graduation
Church Members Optimistic of Program Expansion in Nigeria
Nigeria makes a giant stride in Church Educational System as her first set of students at PathwayConnect Worldwide graduated on May 1, 2018. The graduation ceremony was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Lagos Nigeria Ikeja Stake Centre Opebi, and 92 students received their certificates of program completion.
The graduation ceremony was the crowning event for the three semester, gospel-centered academic program that began in April 2017.
Students take a course load consisting of both academic and religious education each semester during PathwayConnect program. Pupils gather weekly at a church meetinghouse where they participate in educational and leadership activities related to their courses and build lifelong friendships.
Raymond Oraegbu, the chairman of PathwayConnect, Lagos said, “I am really excited. . . this is the fulfillment of our dreams. I am really pleased that our students are able to take advantage of this program to improve themselves.”
Elder Clement Okoye congratulated the pioneers of PathwayConnect in Nigeria at the graduation ceremony. During his opening remarks, he said, “I thank you all for being the pace-setters, and what success you have laid down today, others will follow.”
The valedictory speech was delivered by Priscilla Halima Kane. She encouraged her colleagues, “We all have the capacity for greatness, we have proven that by our attendance here today. We should never underestimate the power we have to be successful in whatever field we choose to specialize in throughout our lives.”
Mrs. Kane concluded, “We should never take for granted all the opportunities we have been given, even the opportunity to have PathwayConnect here in Nigeria.”
The graduation keynote speaker, Dr. Adekunle Hassan, counseled, “It is amazing that the Church is providing this opportunity for its members. The inspiration behind a program like this is to help us so that we can be the best that we can be in our communities.”
Hassan continued, “Let this day be remembered as a day that you put on the cap of integrity and honesty and be a true member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
PathwayConnect courses are designed to help students learn basic skills and gain the confidence and abilities needed to succeed in college and in life. Skills learned include: critical decision-making, goal setting, time management, teamwork, collaboration, study skills, budgeting, and career planning.
After successfully completing PathwayConnect, students can apply to earn a certificate or degree online from Brigham Young University–Idaho, consider a local college or university, get a new or improved job, or pursue a variety of other options.
The first BYU PathwayConnect centre in Africa was established in Accra, Ghana, in November, 2010. It commenced classes with 20 students under the leadership of Brother and Sister Samuel Boakye-Yiadom who were called as the first Pathway missionary couple in Africa. There are now two additional centres located in Tesano and Odorkor, serving students from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire.