The Executive Director of Awolowo Foundation, Ambassador (Dr) Ola- tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, along with three eminent Nigerians were on Saturday honoured at Caleb University’s 7th Foundation Day celebrations.
Awolowo Dosumu, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the Foundation Day Lecture, held on the campus at Imota, Lagos, was praised for her contributions towards the development of education, an integral part of the legacies bequeathed to the nation by the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“It is a well-known fact that the cornerstone of the legacies of Awolowo is education. We thank Dr Awolowo Dosumu for representing the vision that led to the education of millions (of people) today, both directly and indirectly,” said the, Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Ayandiji Daniel Aina.
Also honoured were the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Abel Olayinka, who was the Guest Lecturer, and Professor of Political Communications, Ayo Olukotun, who was the Chairman of the event.
Speaking after receiving a commemorative plaque, Dr Awolowo Dosumu said renewed efforts must be made to revive quality in the education sector.
“I am passionate about education. As you know, I am, myself, a product of the free education programme of the old Western Region. At that time, it was also compulsory for the Premier’s children, and the children of the members of the cabinet.
“I salute all those who have set up private universities in Nigeria, like this and many others, because what they have done is to step in to provide the much needed support. We need to come to an agreement that we want to develop the sector. And we need to increase the percentage of the budget that is dedicated to education,” she said.
Earlier, while delivering his lecture entitled “Nigeria as a Destination for Cross-border Education: Prospects and Challenges”, Professor Olayinka decried the situation where few universities in the country can boast the presence of international students or faculty.
“Most countries now realise that access to cross-cultural education plays an important role in enhancing a country’s future leadership and economic growth. Future global leaders are trained to be more effective, respectful of other cultures and political and economic systems, and willing to take a stand for the world’s welfare, not just what benefits a specific country,” he said.
Also echoing this position, Professor Olukotun said it was disheartening that while foreign nations were “cashing in” on the decay in Nigeria’s education by wooing many of the country’s brightest minds, Nigeria had done little to make its own universities equally attractive to foreigners.
“We of the older generation knew that things have not always been this bad. Then, a degree from Ife was equivalent to a UK degree, and we had international students who came from all parts of the world.
“We are not trying to create a Utopia; we simply want our leaders to go back and pick up the pieces where they left them,” he said.
The lecture was also attended by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Woman Leader, and Member of Caleb’s Governing Board, Mrs Kemi Nelson, vice chancellors of other universities and traditional rulers.