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From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing investment in education to improve access to quality education in Nigeria.
The President gave the assurance in Nsukka on Saturday during the 55th convocation ceremony of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), held at the Margaret Ekpo Convocation Hall, for the conferment of postgraduate diploma, and higher degrees.
He said that his administration recognises that education is the most strategic investment any nation can make in its future.
“Education is the foundation upon which our quest for sustainable economic growth, technological advancement, and national and social cohesion is built.
“ On our part, we will continue to provide opportunities for Nigerian students through the Students’ Loan Scheme, managed by the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
“The scheme is making higher education more accessible to deserving young Nigerians regardless of their financial background.
“This initiative reflects our conviction that no qualified Nigerian should be denied access to education because of economic circumstances,” he said.
The president, represented by Prof Edoba Omoregie, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), also said that his administration is committed to improving the welfare and capacity of academic and non-academic staff through better pay packages, reforms that encourage professional development, research excellence and institutional stability.
Tinubu congratulated the university on what he described as a landmark achievement of its 55th convocation ceremony, wishing the institution many more decades of excellence, innovation and service to Nigeria, Africa and humanity.
In a remark, Oba Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife,
Chancellor of UNN, congratulated the postgraduate graduands, saying their success today reflects hard work, perseverance, sacrifice and resilience.
The chancellor expressed satisfaction with the achievements of the VC in less than one year.
Earlier, Prof Simon Ortuanya, Vice-Chancellor of UNN, had said that the convocation was not only to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduands, but also to honour distinguished personalities and confer well-earned degrees.
“We gather today to reaffirm the enduring purpose of this great university and to renew our collective commitment to its future.
“When Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe conceived this university, he envisioned far more than Nigeria’s first indigenous university. He envisioned an institution that would serve as the intellectual conscience of a new nation; a university that would liberate the African mind through knowledge, inspire leadership through character and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of humanity,” he said.
The VC said that within the past eleven months of his administration, the three campuses of the university have become living construction sites as almost all internal roads have undergone comprehensive reconstruction, complete with modern drainage systems and pedestrian walkways.
He announced the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees of Doctor of Public Administration (Honoris Causa) on the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in recognition of distinguished contribution to public service and women empowerment, among others.
In her acceptance remark, Senator Tinubu said she was honoured and excited to receive the honorary doctorate award from the University of Nigeria,
The First Lady, who was represented by Mr Wahab Alawiye-King, Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Public Affairs and Strategy, said she would continue to encourage and promote education.
