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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
President Bola Tinubu has promised to invest in education to reposition Nigeria to be more globally competitive.
He spoke at the 47th convocation of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Saturday, saying that Nigeria is faced with myriads of challenges including poverty and political instability, but efforts would be made to address the challenges.
Represented by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sunnunu, Tinubu promised that the root cause of the trade union strike among other universities’ problems would be adequately addressed.
He said, “I want to assure you that our government will take a holistic approach towards strengthening the education system. We will invest more in education at all levels and take action to reposition Nigeria to be more globally competitive.
“We will address some of the root causes of trade union strikes, and the university and tertiary institutions’ attendant wanton waste of time in the university. We have initiated a student loan scheme and will ensure its effectiveness and efficiency. We will address some of the obnoxious regulatory frameworks and make some fundamental changes.
“As this government embarks on a great journey of building the nation, reviving the economy, prioritizing education, and increasing business in young people, we earnestly seek your prayers to support this administration in nation-building, by the grace of God, we shall sail the ship of this country to safer harbor.
“As a government, we can not pretend that our nation is facing myriads of challenges including poverty, inflation, insecurity political instability, and infrastructural deficiency. These challenges may seem doubting but they also present opportunities for innovation and growth,” Tinubu said.
The vice chancellor of OAU, Prof Simeon Bamire, lamented increased electricity charges to the university and appealed to the Federal Government to assist in completing the age-long university power project.
“However, I want to inform you that the diminishing funding capacities of the university have hamstrung more development than we would have had. Regularly, we have to contend with ensuring a stable power supply by paying the increased electricity charges to the University, fulfilling numerous municipal responsibilities, as well as providing basic equipment and materials needed for classroom teaching and for carrying out ground-breaking research,” Bamire said.
The university confers Doctor of Science (DSC, Honoris Causa) on Chief Anastasios Leventis while Professor Toyin Falola received the Doctor of Letters (D. Litt, Honoris Causa).
