By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Visitor to the University of Ibadan, President Bola Tinubu has said the Federal Government is committed to revamping the entire education sector to produce well educated citizens.
The Visitor who was represented by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, gave the assurance at the University of Ibadan’s 75th Foundation Day anniversary, conferment of honorary degrees and admission to Higher Degrees ceremony held at the International Conference Centre of the University.
The Visitor said his administration is fully conscious of the importance and centrality of education and would bring in more innovation that will revise the entire education sector from curriculum review at all levels.
This, he said, would produce well-educated citizens empowered by digital, industrial, and evolution-driven science, technologies, and innovation.
President Tinubu assured Nigerians that the Federal Government remains committed to the welfare of all students so that no student is deprived of education on account of poverty, adding that this explains why the students’ loan scheme is to be re-introduced.
The Visitor rejoiced with the UI for maintaining its leading position in the country as well as in Africa but charged the institution not to rest on its oars but continue to forge ahead.
He congratulated the 722 Ph.D. graduates and charged them to always adapt to change because the world is in a state of constant change, and society is waiting for their contributions to development.
The Chancellor, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, said university education ought not only to impact knowledge but also transform character because it is the aspect that seems to dignify in the area of learning.
He charged the learned community to reflect on the state of the academic sector and proffer solutions that would transform the education system.
He also congratulated the graduates and charged them to deliver in their areas of responsibilities, noting that funding must be released to cater to research and education so that higher institutions will be the centres of research and education.
The Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation at African Union Commission, Professor Mohamed Belhocine congratulated the graduates for hard work and for being found worthy in character and learning before obtaining the higher degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
In an address read on his behalf by Dr. Monica Idinosa of the AU Commission in Nigeria, Professor Belhocine noted that one of the achievements of the University of Ibadan is the international recognition it has attained as a centre of excellence, noting that UI products are men and women who have made positive contributions to development within Nigeria and globally by proffering solutions to various challenges.
He remarked that 509 students have graduated from PAULESI since inception, and these are the 7th cohort of PhD. graduates, pointing out that this year’s graduates are from 45 African countries.
The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale in his remark assures that the University will not relent in its resolve to be the flagship of postgraduate studies in the nation. He noted that the university’s determination to uphold the tradition of transparency and fairness in its admission exercises is reflecting on the quality of students’ performance.
He challenged the graduates to note that the number of years spent as a student and the name as well as reputation of a university will not singularly decide the worth of a degree but that the worth of a degree “is in the industry, learning and character that the holder of the degree displays on a daily basis from the moment of obtaining the degree”.
The Vice-Chancellor, enjoined the graduands to be and remain active stakeholders of the University project.
He said, “The University of Ibadan is a national intellectual heritage. We all belong to it. It belongs to all. I invite you to rise up to support the University in all ways possible.”
The University of Ibadan gave honorary degrees to four persons of integrity at the 75th Foundation Day ceremony.
Professor Mayowa O. Owolabi was awarded a Doctor of Science, the highest doctorate degree of the University of Ibadan.
Some of the dignitaries who attended the Foundation Day ceremony include: the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, who was represented, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Professor Saka Adelola Matemilola, a first class Mechanical Engineering graduate of UI and the Emir of Kano among many others.
Also present were UI@75 Ambassadors, religious leaders and captains of commerce and industry.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of one of the foundation students of the University of Ibadan, 97 year-old Professor Adetowun Ogunsheye, who witnessed the foundation laying ceremony 75 years ago.
