Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has urged institutions of higher learning in the country to be relevant by producing problem solvers and not just certificate holders.
Akeredolu made this call while speaking at the 12th and 13th combined convocation ceremonies of the Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo State, where he was conferred with an honorary doctorate alongside the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Revd Henry Ndukuba, and Retired Archbishop of Lagos Province Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Revd Ephraim Ademowo.
The institution also awarded undergraduate, postgraduate degrees and diploma certificates to 2,851 students including 85, who finished with first class honours and graduated from the school in both the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 academic sessions.
Speaking further, the governor called on the Federal Government to finance the operations of private universities in the country through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
He noted that the inclusion of private universities among recipients of TETFund grants would help private organisations, churches and established individuals who had ventured into the sector to further contribute to the development of the nation’s education sector.
Akeredolu, while responding to the call made by the Supra Diocesan Board (West) Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Revd Joseph Akinfenwa, on government funding of private universities, said: “TETFund is the education tax that is collected from everyone. I believe every institution should enjoy it.”
While bemoaning the hollow repetition of outdated and inapplicable theories which are taught today in tertiary institutions, he noted that such theories could only produce highly certificated citizens who lack the capacity to solve basic problems
The governor added that “we live in a period when the interventions of true intellectuals are needed to illuminate darkened paths.”
He noted that inadequate funding might be adduced as a factor militating against qualitative education, adding that “there has been a disconnection between the social realities and the pretentious emptiness served as diets of instruction.”
“Our centres of research and learning must be ready to come up with innovations on how best to plant our food and feed our people. We must depend on our children to fix our roads, hospitals and secure the land.
“Certificates are mere evidence of participation in a process. They do not necessarily bear testimonies to capacity. The disturbing reality which finds expression in the presence of a multitude of unemployed graduates in an underdeveloped country should be a source of deep anxiety.”
Earlier in his address, pro-chancellor and chairman, Governing Council of the institution, Dr Wole Olanipekun, SAN, averred that no nation of the world could be at peace when its youths were unemployed.
He further stated that the high unemployment rate in the country cast doubts on the hope that youth would constitute the bedrock of the future.
He noted that “a situation where youths and their able-bodied parents are unemployed portends a great danger to the country” urging the government to address the worrisome situation before these youths transfer aggression against not just the system, but also on the citizens.
“There is an imminent danger ahead unless we realistically address this troubling and worrisome situation. No nation can be at peace with itself when both its teeming youths and middle-aged population are wandering and roaming aimlessly in the unemployment market. There is much transferred malice and aggression arising from this pitiable scenario, Olanipekun said.
The vice-chancellor of the institution, Professor Timothy Adebayo, said he is optimistic that the graduands will contribute meaningfully to the social and human developments of the country.
He urged the graduands to look for opportunities beyond their disciplinary boundaries, adding that “what you received here is education. Irrespective of your disciplines, you have been trained to think productively and you are mentally emancipated to surmount challenges that may confront you in your world.”
While Akeredolu was conferred with an award of Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa), Revd Ndukuba was conferred with Doctors of Divinity (Honoris Causa), and Revd Ademowo was conferred with Doctors of Letters (Honoris Causa) of the university at the event.
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