*Vows to produce well educated citizens
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
President Bola Tinubu at the weekend, declared that Federal government is committed to revamping the entire education sector in Nigeria to produce well educated citizens.
The President stated this in Ibadan at the University of Ibadan’s 75th Foundation Day anniversary, conferment of honorary degrees and admission to Higher Degrees ceremony held at the International Conference Centre of the University.
Represented by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, (SAN), President Tinubu stressed that his administration is fully conscious of the importance and centrality of education and would bring in more innovation that will revise the entire education sector from curriculum review at all levels.
According to him, this would produce well-educated citizens empowered by digital, industrial, and evolution-driven science, technologies, and innovation, adding that Federal Government remains committed to the welfare of all students so that no student is deprived of education on account of poverty.
He stressed further that this explains why the students ‘ loan scheme is to be re-introduced.
Commending University of Ibadan for maintaining its leading position in the country as well as in Africa, he tasked the University not to rest on its oars but continue to forge ahead and that the 722 Ph.D. graduates should always adapt to change because the world is in a state of constant change, and society is waiting for their contributions to development.
Chancellor of the University, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar while speaking said university education ought not only to impact knowledge but also transform character because it is the aspect that seems to dignify in the area of learning.
Charging the learned community to reflect on the state of the academic sector and proffer solutions that would transform the education system, the Sultan said funding must be released to cater to research and education so that higher institutions will be the centres of research and education.
The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale in his remarks said the University will not relent in its resolve to be the flagship of postgraduate studies in the nation.
Professor Adebowale stressed that the university’s determination to uphold the tradition of transparency and fairness in its admission exercises is reflecting on the quality of students’ performance.
The Vice Chancellor challenged the graduates to note that the number of years spent as a student and the name and reputation of a university will not singularly decide the worth of a degree but that the worth of a degree ‘is in the industry, learning and character that the holder of that degree displays on a daily basis from the moment of obtaining the degree.’
Tasking everyone to be and remain active stakeholders of the University project, the Vice Chancellor said, ‘the University of Ibadan is a national intellectual heritage. We all belong to it. It belongs to all. I invite you to rise up to support the University in all ways possible.’
The Foundation Day ceremony was attended by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Emir of Kano, the Olowu of Owu kingdom Oba Professor Saka Adelola Matemilola, among many others.
