Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Wednesday pledged support for the growth of education in the state, saying it remained weapon for development in any society.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti during the 28th Convocation Ceremony of EKSU, an occasion where 10,739 first degree and diplomas officially graduated and inauguration of the new Chancellor of the institution, businessman and philanthropist, Dr Tunji Olowolafe.
Gmartnews reports that 10,739 students comprising First Class, 91; Second Class Upper Division, 3262; Second Class Lower Division, 6411; Third Class, 747; and Pass, four for first degree and 224 diplomas graduated on the occasion.
A total of 155 post-graduate degrees would be conferred on graduated on Friday and as well honorary doctorates on four distinguished personalities – the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye (Doctor of Science, honoris causa); and former Governor of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo (Doctor of Laws, honoris causa); oil magnate, Princess Folorunso Alakija (Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa); and accomplished pharmacist, Prince Julius Adeluyi (Doctor of Laws, honoris causa).
The governor said, “We are gathered here today to celebrate scholarship, success and the result of hard work. As we all know, education remains a weapon in ensuring social, political and economic growth in any society. This is why we will continue to support the education sector.
“We are committed to ensuring our educational institutions are of the highest standards that can compete globally. A demonstration of this commitment can be seen in our various interventions in the sector from primary to tertiary institutions. It is therefore a thing of pride to note that Ekiti is ranked as of the highest in school enrollment in Nigeria and one of the states with the least out-of-school children with 2.5 per cent”.
Oyebanji, who itemized his administration’s intervention in the education sector since inception, added, “Just few months ago, we increased the subvention to all Ekiti State-owned tertiary institutions, including the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital significantly. As much as the government is ready to continue to play its part in the funding of tertiary education of the State, the university must find ways and means of supplementing whatever the government is able to give”.
The governor hailed Olowolafe on his investiture, saying, “I am thrilled by the expectation that the University will benefit enormously from your goodwill, wealth of means people and network of donors that can help improve the fortune of the University in a significant manner”.
He advised the graduates, “The future is open to you in terms of employment, further education and entrepreneurship; whichever you decide to choose, do ensure that you improve yourself and mankind.
“The society today is filled with myriad of challenges that are waiting for fresh solutions and new perspectives. This, itself is an opportunity to prove yourself and not to nag and drag. Let it be said that you are part of the solution to the challenges facing the nation and not an addition to their complication”.
Former Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, had in the convocation lecture on Wednesday titled, ‘The future of the Nigerian university system’ that he delivered, canvassed greater collaboration among the academia, industry and government for the Nigerian university system to really be an agent for socio-economic development.
Olayinka said that the country’s education sector, which served as bedrock of its human capital formation, faced significant
challenges that would reverberate across the nation’s social and economic landscape if there was no adequate investment and support.
The don said, “The future of the Nigerian university system ultimately depends on what all the stakeholders make of it. The failing of the past and up till the present moment stares us in the face”.
He said, “The Nigerian university system should be an agent for socio-economic development. Going forward, there is need for paradigm shift with greater collaboration among the academia, industry, government and all other stakeholders”.
Olayinka said that if there were sincere plans to reposition the university system to greater heights, “all hands should be on deck to attract and retain very competent academic staff, researchers, administrative and technical support staff”.
