Catholic University Graduates in Cameroon’s Buea Diocese Urged to be Job Creators, not Seekers

Buea, 19 December, 2025 / 5:53 PM

Graduates of the Catholic University Institute of Buea (CUIB) have been urged to remain grateful to God, resilient in life, and committed to becoming job creators.

In his Thursday, December 18 homily during the 12th commencement Mass of CUIB, Bishop Michael Miabesue Bibi of the Catholic Diocese of Buea told the 139 graduands that their success is a sign of God’s presence among them.

“The 12th commencement ceremony of our prestigious Catholic University Institute of Buea is an opportunity to laud the institution for being a place for saints and scholars, and a place where servant leaders are groomed and sent out into the world as job creators and not job seekers,” Bishop Bibi said.

The Cameroonian Catholic Bishop added, “You are not just passive participants in the job market, you are potential job creators.”

He said the graduation ceremony was a moment to thank God for the achievements of the 12th batch of graduands, noting that “the most fitting way to express our gratitude to God is by offering the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, which is the Eucharist, the Holy Mass.”

Bishop Bibi expressed gratitude to the leadership of the institution, saying, “I would like to use this opportunity to express my sentiments of gratitude to the president of the Catholic University Institute of Buea, the faculty and staff for all the sacrifices they put in throughout these years in order to provide a conducive environment for our students to carry out their studies.”

He also thanked parents and guardians, noting, “The sacrifices and the work you have all done in the lives of our graduands by giving them the best gift of education will be sown for an eternal harvest for every one of you.”

Addressing the graduands, the Bishop said, “You have brought us here through your hard work and resilience in your studies, which has earned you a success worth celebrating.” 

The Cameroonian Catholic Bishop congratulated those who were graduating, saying, “You have spent energy, time, and resources in order to achieve this success. We celebrate you for your achievements.”

Reflecting on the significance of the 12th commencement, Bishop Bibi said, “The number 12 evokes powerful imagery. 12 apostles, 12 tribes of Israel, all of which symbolize authority, mission, and power.” 

“Just as these 12 individuals and tribes were called to fulfill important purposes, so too are you called to live out your mission as we step into the world beyond the halls of the Catholic University Institute of Buea,” the Catholic Church leader said.

On life after graduation, Bishop Bibi reminded the students that “employers today seek more than just academic excellence.” He explained that adaptability, innovation, and collaboration are essential, adding, “Remember, what you study is a fact, but it is not the entirety of your journey.”

He called for flexibility, saying, “Be open to the idea that your first job may not align perfectly with your degree.” 

Bishop Bibi urged the graduands to seize opportunities, noting, “Each one is a stepping stone towards your future.”

He called on the graduands to remain courageous, creative, and committed to making positive change wherever they find themselves, trusting always in the assurance that “God is with us.”

On his part, the President of CUIB, Fr. Bartholomew Anyanwu, urged the graduands to remain bold and innovative as they embark on their professional journeys.

​”At CUIB, we use the word commencement because today marks not merely what our students have completed, but what they are beginning,” he stated, adding, “We are commissioning them to a new level as innovators, builders, and entrepreneurs.”

Fr. Anyanwu further noted that while many universities provide quality education, CUIB distinguishes itself by instilling a specific set of values.

“CUIB is a mindset and a movement. We produce graduates who do not just sit and complain, but those who are taught how to lead and innovate with faith,” he said.