Elder Christian Chigbundu Tells PathwayConnect Students: Be Brave

BYU Pathway Worldwide recognized 220 students who recently completed three semesters of PathwayConnect in Lagos, Nigeria. This entitles them to matriculate and graduate as students of BYU-Idaho Online or Ensign College.

Speaking during the PathwayConnect’s completion ceremony on Saturday, April 20, 2024, Elder Christian C. Chigbundu, an Area Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints encouraged the students to be mentally tough to move forward and to imbibe courage in everything they do. "Be Courageous, be mentally tough, be disciplined, be passionate, be patient, develop yourself, work to live and live to work and balance your time, he added."

“A brave man is not a man that doesn't have fear, but is a man that puts fears aside and proceeds with faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ.” the Area Seventy said. 

During his keynote address, titled “LEARN” Victor Ukorebi, International Area Manager - BYU-Pathway Worldwide offered five pieces of advice: 

L - Learning is a lifelong process. He added that a true learner knows how to learn to become a peacemaker and what to do to have peace of mind.

E - Educate - A true learner is an educator who is not shy in teaching and educating others. Be generous with your wisdom, he counseled. 

A - Attitude - Knowing how to learn prepares us to discern and act upon opportunities that others may not readily recognize.

R - Repentance - Learn how to forgive yourself and others. When you offend God and men, learn to repent quickly.

N - Nice - "Be nice!...the joy of learning how to learn, educating others, having the right attitude, and repenting as often as needed, makes us express niceness and kindness to others."

"Be nice, be kind, be gentle, be thoughtful, be considerate, but never, never lower the standard for anyone" he concludes.

Mrs. Moyosore Asubiojo, Board & Partners Relations Manager from Venture Garden Group congratulated all the students. She said, "In every challenge, there are opportunities you can find in there...opportunity to learn, to develop yourself and  to make best out of it." 

PathwayConnect, also known as Pathway, is the recommended start to every degree. Offered at a significantly reduced cost, Pathway lasts less than a year and includes foundational academic and religion courses — completely online — that help students see increased success.

This ceremony marks the 6th formal completion ceremony to be held in Lagos, Nigeria since the Pathway program began in 2017. The future holds many more opportunities for Nigerians as the program becomes well-known and success stories are shared.

Oladipupo Abiodun, one of the students said that PathwayConnect is blessing lives and the knowledge is needed for self-improvement. "I feel so blessed to be a part of this journey and I invite others to come join us."

Sister Susan Sorenson, the Area Coordination Missionary for Nigeria congratulated the students for completing PathwayConnect. She said, "You can’t begin to imagine all of the people that will be blessed from this point forward, the lives that you will touch, and it will have an eternal impact on other people in your life."

Gloria Ogbuehi said that PathwayConnect has helped her manage stress, finances, and plan her family while studying the gospel of Jesus Christ. She encouraged others preparing to start PathwayConnect to do away with fear and learn to overcome their challenges by working hard and relying on the Lord. 

“I charge you to go forth and continue to learn and serve. Carry on, Carry on, Carry On with lifelong learning" - Victor Ukorebi.