Education

Afe Babalola advocates residential education system in Nigeria

Founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti ( ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has advocated a residential education system for the country to improve its standing among the comity of nations in the sector.

He suggested that the federal government should ensure that only non-profit private universities with residential facilities for students should be approved instead of giving approval to people who are only interested in making money rather than contributing to the education sector.

The renowned legal icon spoke on Saturday during the 11th convocation ceremony of ABUAD where former secretary general of Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Emir of Lafia, HRH Sidi Bage; and the Managing Director of BOVAS and Company Limited, Mrs Victoria Adunola Samson, bagged the institution’s honorary degrees for their contributions to humanity.

Babalola said students who reside in their universities would be found worthy in both learning and character compared to their counterparts who only come to campus for lectures and examinations.

He said,” I hereby suggest to the Federal Government to revisit the large number of Private Universities it has approved in the last few years and ensure conformity with the rules. The only solution to quality education in this country is more non-profit Private Universities with residential education where all the students live on campus, unlike in public universities where over 80% of the students live off-campus.

” The question then arises, how do you mentor and monitor students who breeze into the campus around 9 am, spend a few hours, and return to their homes by 2 pm? Certainly, such students could not have been mentored in learning and character. We should stop deceiving ourselves.”

Advising the fresh graduates to be more dedicated and committed to their careers, the elder statesman said ABUAD had equipped them with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed and compete favourably in the outside world.

” You should always remember the son/daughter of who you are and my philosophy of life: He prays most who works hardest. Remember, too, that hard work does not kill. It is indolence that destroys. Always remember your University Anthem, which emphasises determination, discipline and integrity. This must be your watchdog as you go into the world,” he said.

The Vice chancellor, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, said ABUAD has continued to lead the university in the country and beyond with the quality of its graduates, who she said were blazing the global trail.

Speaking, the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, congratulated the ABUAD founder for the feat recorded by the university in core areas of learning, research and community service, adding that the government was proud to associate with the institution.

He described the institution’s multi-system hospital as one of the most preferred hospitals in Africa, with quality and affordable healthcare being provided, including numerous successful surgical operations.

The governor hinted that the state government is in talks with the federal government on the rehabilitation of the road leading to the university.

“Very soon, it’s either the federal government reconstructs the road, or the state is allowed to do it so that the agonies faced on the road will be eliminated,” Oyebanji said.

On his part, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, lauded the giant strides of the founder and implored the graduands to be visionary and emulate Afe Babalola in their endeavours.

The traditional ruler said, “Being an alumnus of the institution and now the number one cheerleader of the university all over the world, Afe Babalola is one of the best mentors I have ever witnessed and should be commended for establishing a university that has created a feat for itself in the country. ”

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