President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the weekend urged tertiary institutions in the country to prioritise Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses to ensure Nigeria’s rapid development.
The President made this known at the 6th and 7th combined convocation ceremony of the Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State.
Represented at the event by the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Zaphaniah Jisalo, Tinubu reiterated the fact that education is the focal point of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
A release made available to Tribune Online on Monday in Abuja by the Head, Press and PR, Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Anastasia Ogbonna, informed that the President asserted that “prioritising STEM courses by offering scholarships, internships, graduate school admissions and employment opportunities to high-achieving STEM students”, remains non-negotiable.
According to Tinubu, apart from making the society a better place, Nigerian tertiary institutions had to pursue innovation, knowledge and skills with a view to remaining relevant.
In his words, the President said, “We live in a rapidly changing world which requires our constant commitment to pursue innovations, knowledge and skills in our institutions in order to be relevant and to make our society a better place.”
He described education as not only the bedrock of development but also the key to unlocking the country’s vast youth potential.
“Education is the bedrock of societal development. It is the key to unlocking the vast potential of our youth population and the cornerstone on which we shall build a prosperous future for Nigeria,” the President said.
He then commended the Federal University Lokoja for adding Engineering and Nursing programmes to the course it is offering, which brought the total number of courses to 53.
Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, informed that a total of 2,738 students, cutting across various fields of endeavours at the 6th and 7th convocation ceremony were graduating.
He further informed that the university had made tremendous strides in the sphere of academics, as it has “made the elite list of the maiden Times Higher Education 2023 sub Sahara Africa (Webo-metric ranking) universities ranking, falling within the 51st – 60th bracket out of the 120 sub Saharan universities that were ranked, using the criteria of resources and finance, access and fairness, teaching skills, students engagement and Africa impact”.
The university, according to the VC, also occupie d the 17th position of 51 Nigerian universities ranked and 9th position amongst Federal universities as released June 26, 2023 by the Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC) headed by Prof Peter Okebukola.
Speaking on issues relating to paucity of funds and infrastructural deficits, the VC said: “In spite of the daunting challenges encountered due to limited resources that have adversely affected the provision of more facilities in the university, the management of the university remains committed in its resolve to move the Federal University Lokoja to a higher level academically and administratively.”
On his part, the Chancellor of the university, who is also the Emir of Fika and Chairman, Yobe State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, His Royal Highness, Muhammadu Abali, called on the graduands to explore entrepreneurial fields as white-collar jobs are limited, saying: “that is why your training has been both diverse and versatile to prepare you for your next bold steps.”
The release informed that the highlight of the occasion was the inauguration of some projects by the Minister of Special Duties on behalf of the President.
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