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From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday, said his administration is working hard to ensure the full implementation of autonomy for public universities in the country.
He said this at the University of Benin 48th Convocation cum 53rd Founders’ Day ceremonies.
President Tinubu, who was represented by the Hon. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, said that granting the universities autonomy would help place the institutions of higher learning on a pedestal that would enable them compete favourably with their counterparts in the world.
“The University of Benin is well positioned to deliver on its mandate on the training of the critical manpower needs of the country taking into consideration the pedigree of staff and infrastructure.
“Our administration is poised to change the narrative of higher education for the better and to place the institution of higher learning on pedestal that would help them compete with their counterparts in the world.
“The Federal Government is working towards the introduction of the policy of full university autonomy and this is premised on our conviction that university autonomy will provide the platform on which the institution will develop.
“University autonomy transfers the responsibility performance directly to individual institution rather than the state of uncertainty. This administration believes that this is the right step in the right direction.
“We will do all that is possible to reposition tertiary institution and the education sector in the country for excellence service delivery,” Tinubu said.
Speaking in his own capacity as the Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Abubakar Momoh, said the institution having fallen within the Niger Delta region, he is going to liaise with the university to carry out a need assessment survey in order to know where the Federal Government can be of assistance.
In his remarks, the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, said the 178 students who have graduated with First Class will be given automatic employment provided they are Edo State indigene.
He urged those vested with the various honours by the university to see it as a call to service and to do more for humanity.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Lilian Salami, said the institution has made giant strides since she became the VC, particularly in the area of developing environmental value and ethical orientation, ensuring quality academic programmes, enhancing staff and students’ welfare and security, expanding and enhancing the physical, structural, development and management initiatives and increasing funding and sustainable initiatives.
Other areas include increasing the human and capital development and community impact initiative.
