The Managing Director of Remita Payment Services Limited, Mr ‘DeRemi Atanda, has urged newly admitted undergraduates of Bowen University to embrace purpose, discipline, and value-driven learning as the foundation for meaningful personal growth and national relevance. He delivered this charge as Guest Speaker at the 24th Matriculation Ceremony of the university, held recently at its Iwo campus in Osun State.
The ceremony also featured an address by the Vice-Chancellor of Bowen University, Professor Jonathan Olubunmi Babalola, who reminded the students of the institution’s faith-based foundation and the values and standards it upholds. Addressing the 1,342 matriculating students across seven colleges, he reaffirmed Bowen University’s commitment to strong moral and academic values, urging the new students to embody the principles of godliness, excellence, and leadership as they begin their academic journey.
Building on this foundation, Mr Atanda described the matriculation ceremony as more than a formal academic rite, but a defining moment of transition and responsibility. He noted that the occasion marked both an entry into higher learning and a commitment to discipline, faith, and service. “Whether you arrived here by careful choice or by circumstance, what matters is that you are here,” he said. “That, in itself, is purpose unfolding.”
Situating the moment within a broader historical and moral context, Mr Atanda reflected on the significance of December 18 as a date associated with freedom, identity, and global progress. He referenced the proclamation of the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery, as well as the adoption of Arabic as an official language of the United Nations on the same date in different eras. “Today marks another transition,” he noted, “from intention to intention backed by action. Bowen University will be the soil in which your potential is cultivated. Here, leadership is taught alongside service, and intellect is paired with integrity.”
Drawing on his experience in the fintech industry, Mr Atanda shared lessons from the evolution of Remita, tracing its growth from a modest payroll-processing idea into a national financial infrastructure that supports government payments and millions of individuals and organisations. He noted that what began as a simple embedded solution now processes over ₦60 trillion annually, underscoring the power of small, consistently executed ideas. “Progress is often cumulative,” he said. “Do not despise your days of small beginnings. When ideas are developed with discipline and purpose, they can scale far beyond their original scope and create lasting impact across communities and nations.”
He emphasised integrity as a non-negotiable value, particularly in an era defined by speed, competition, and ethical compromise. “In financial systems, trust is the ultimate currency. Cheating, dishonesty, and shortcuts may appear attractive, but they destroy the future,” he warned. “The things you do in secret will one day come to light. Build a reputation that can withstand scrutiny.”
Turning to the realities of a rapidly changing global economy, Mr Atanda encouraged the students to remain adaptable while staying grounded in strong moral values. “The world is evolving. Jobs that exist today may not exist tomorrow. Your mindset must be open to learning new skills and adapting to new realities, but never at the expense of your core values,” he advised.
Reflecting on his own formative years, he recounted how active participation and intellectual curiosity shaped his career path. “I wrote a single article in my first year at the University of Ibadan, and that opened doors into media, leadership, and eventually my first job,” he shared. “There is no substitute for participation, diligence, and courage.”
He concluded by urging the matriculating class to take ownership of their future, emphasising that admission represents only the starting point of a much longer journey. “ Admission marks a beginning; transformation is a process,” Mr Atanda noted. “Let today be the moment you commit to dreaming boldly, acting deliberately, starting with what you have, and taking responsibility for the outcomes that you seek to achieve.”
Congratulating the 24th matriculating class, he welcomed the students into a new chapter of academic and personal growth, and expressed confidence that their years at the institution would prepare them for lives of purpose, service, and godly impact.
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