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By Gabriel Dike
The vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, and the Bulgarian ambassador to Nigeria, Yanko Yordanov, have acknowledged the outstanding performance of the 39 students who participated in the European Union-Africa Connect Summer School.
Ogunsola and Yordanov lauded the students at the closing ceremony of the UNILAG-Jean Monnet Module programme, titled: Bringing Europe Closer to Africa.”
Also, the senior officer at the delegation of the EU in Nigeria, Ms. Esme Stuart, who spoke to the students virtually, showered encomiums on them for their outstanding performance during the three weeks of the EU-summer School.
In her address, UNILAG’s VC, Ogunsola, commended the 39 students for doing the university proud and appreciated the EU and facilitators for grooming the students in different areas.
She reminded the students that, for them to be taken seriously, they must stand firm on their values, culture and heritage.
The VC told the students that their destiny was in their hands, stressing, “We know our values but the problem is we are not proud of them.”
Ogunsola emphasized the need to work as a community, as a team, and many people or countries would like to help when the need arises.
The Bulgarian ambassador, Yordanov, commended the performance of the UNILAG students and advised them to keep up the tempo.
Yordanov explained that education was what made people unique from others, stating, “education makes people proud. Education is what makes Nigeria and Bulgarian relations sustainable.”
The ambassador disclosed that his country had many universities but none with a large expanse of space and land like the universities in Nigeria.
He charged the students to advertise Nigeria in a positive way, noting, “the youths are showing the way for a better partnership between the two countries. We need the potential of the young ones to move our country forward.”
According to him, bilateral relations between the two countries were about 60 years old and in different areas, including education.
Stuart, a senior officer of the EU in Nigeria, explained that the students learned about Europe and can now relate with their counterparts.
She said the EU-Africa connect summer school was part of the education collaboration with Nigeria and hoped other universities would follow the example of UNILAG.
Stuart added: “EU works closely with universities, private sector, and civil organisations. We offered over 200 scholarships in 2022 and it is fully funded for two years. Nigeria is a strategic partner of the EU.’’
In her remarks, the deputy vice-chancellor (academic research), Prof. Bola Oboh, said: “I can say with confidence that the EU-Africa connect summer school has been a success.’’
Coordinator of the programme, Prof. Olufemi Saibu, said exposing the 39 students to summer school gives them the opportunity to know about Europe and the benefits available.
The President of the European Union Parliament, Priscilla Oboh, said summer school is a part effort to shape the existing partnership between the EU and Africa.
Oboh, a 200-level Mass Communication student said: “The partnership has played a major role in the existing relationship. A new strategy is required, particularly, after COVID-19.
The EU Mock parliament, which was meant to showcase what the students learned during the three programme was presided over by Oboh. The proposal discussed during the parliament includes immigration, governance, and security.
Three students shared their experiences during the three weeks of EU summer school. Ambassador Yordanov and Prof. Oboh presented certificates and prizes to the participants.
