Come up with Solutions to the Nation’s Problems – Buhari Challenges Academics as OAU Graduates 13,809

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Visitor to the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, has challenged academics to come up with solutions to the myriad of problems confronting the nation and the African continent.

President Buhari who spoke through a Director in the National Universities Commission (NUC), Dr. Suleiman Ramon-Yusuf gave this challenge in his address at the forty-third (43rd) Convocation Ceremonies of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. The president noted with dissatisfaction that most academics of Nigerian origin have been harnessing their intellectual capabilities, prowess, and talents to further develop foreign countries where they reside, adding that it was surprising to note that most of these are Nigerians who acquired their degrees from institutions of higher learning here in Nigeria.

He stated that his administration was not unmindful of the unlimited agitations of university staff unions in relation to funds and funding, promising to put resources together in order to put an end to the agitation and incessant strikes of the unions, restating, however, that government expects some level of reciprocity of its gesture from the University system.

“It is expected that solving the myriad of problems confronting the nation should be a priority. It is condemnable that most of the outcomes of numerous researches and papers, presented by scholars at national and international conferences usually end up on the shelves of their respective authors, supervisors, departmental or faculty libraries and other university archives”, the President said.

The President also noted with dismay that the Universities are plagued by the same ills of the larger society, stating that the anti-corruption agencies are daily inundated with series of petitions containing damning allegations of improprieties. He used the occasion to commend the entire management of the university for their tireless efforts and quintessential administrative qualities in turning the turbulence of the past.

In his address, the Chancellor of the University and the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar (CFR), appreciated the Federal Government, the alumni and other friends of the institution for their dedicated support in the drive towards making OAU a great citadel of learning and excellence. He also thanked the Visitor, the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, the Governing Council, the Senate, Staff, Students and the entire University community for making the appointment of the substantive Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede very peaceful, hoping that the Vice-Chancellor would see his appointment as being ordained by God. He further tasked him to endeavour to embark on meaningful development that would put the University back on a sound footing.

While appreciating members of staff of the institution for their unflinching support in making the Convocation Ceremony a huge success, the Etsu Nupe appealed to them to kindly exercise more patience, and embrace dialogue and negotiations, instead of resorting to industrial actions which may give the University a bad name and image.

The Chancellor went on to charge the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the Obafemi Awolowo University; be role models in their respective places of work and anywhere they find themselves, and to always uphold a high sense of integrity and moral values.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, in his own address opined that the Vice-Chancellor and his management team’s determination and passion for a rapid change of the fortunes of the University keyed in to the vision of the Council on how to keep producing sound, highly skilled graduates that can compete and function in a very competitive globalised world, even in the face of dwindling resources.

He disclosed that the institution has embarked on a massive programme of revenue generation via the establishment of a professionally-run Commercial Integrated Farming Scheme and has radically renewed reach out programme to the famous vibrant alumni organisations worldwide in a move that would focus specific fundraising projects.

The Pro-Chancellor hinted that under the Integrated Farming Scheme, an effective Students’ Work-Study Programme would be introduced, where students of various backgrounds and disciplines can, in their free time, not only earn money from working on the farm, but also end up picking up skills that could change the course of their lives, after graduation, stating that the Integrated Farming Scheme has received the blessing and approvals of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

He reported with joy that Obafemi Awolowo University was lucky to be one of the beneficiaries of a World Bank-Sponsored Pilot Scheme that would provide uninterrupted electricity to ten (10) Federal Government Universities, under a partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to boost provision of electricity to the campus and the University Teaching Hospitals Complex, adding that work had commenced on the full rehabilitation of the main source of water supply, the Opa Dam, to ensure constant supply of water.

Delivering his first convocation address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, stated that Obafemi Awolowo University is set for the take-off of a pilot agricultural project involving the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). According to him, the CBN will be financing this project to the tune of three billion naira (N3b). He expressed the gratitude of the University’s management team to the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi for being instrumental to the project and others.

Professor Ogunbodede further told the gathering that the Senate of the University had approved the proposal to overhaul the entire curricula of the programmes being run in the University, noting that the exercise is aimed at better equipping and preparing the students for the demands of the twenty-first (21st) century. He similarly announced that two new programmes, Aeronautic and Aerospace Engineering and Media and Communication, would soon be flagged off in the University.

The Vice-Chancellor, who was happy to highlight the achievements of the students, said that OAU students have consistently displayed sterling performances in various academic and international competitions. He noted that a contingent from the College of Health Sciences was admitted into the Global Education in Medicine Exchange (GEMX) Programme of the USA Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), adding that six (6) students from the Faculty of Clinical Sciences participated in the 3rd international competition held in Mexico in 2016. “Despite the short notice for preparation, our students clinched the 7th position in the global competition for all Medical Schools in the world. Obafemi Awolowo University Medical students were the only medical students from Nigerian University that participated in the competition”, Ogunbodede said.

The Vice-Chancellor also remarked that students from the Faculty of Law had impressive track records in International Moot Court Competitions among which was the Manfreal Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition which they won the African Regional rounds in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016 to qualify for the world rounds held in Canada, Jerusalem, Italy and Mexico. The 2018 edition was held in Pretoria, South Africa, where the University was represented by four (4) students. OAU students also qualified as representatives of the only Nigerian University to the World rounds of the Nelson Mandela Human Rights Competition, held in Geneva, Switzerland.

He said that his administration has recorded some modest achievements in the area of students’ welfare with interventions in accommodation and transportation. According to him, for the first time in recent years, the halls of residence have been renovated and the overcrowding in the halls of residence is being addressed. The Vice-Chancellor submitted that the University is partnering with investors to construct additional students’ hostels in a new students’ village in the effort to provide more accommodation for the students.

The Vice-Chancellor immensely thanked the worthy alumni of the University for their magnanimity, commitment and supports since he assumed duty, emphasising that his administration is working very hard to overcome the accreditation challenges of some programmes. He gave assurance that before the end of the 2017/2018 academic session, the problem would have been a thing of the past.

The foremost historian and academic of immense erudition, Professor Banji Akintoye, delivered the Convocation Lecture entitled “University Education in Nigeria: Revisiting the Ife Dream” which chronicled the trajectory of the University’s ascension to fame, repute and greatness, accomplishing the lofty dream and vision of its founding-fathers.

Miss Aarinola Olaiya, a 2015/2016 graduating student from the College of Health Science, stole the show at the 43rd Convocation Ceremonies winning the highest number of prizes for her sterling effort which shattered a twenty-nine-year-old record at the College; a feat which the Governor of her home-state, Ekiti, His Excellency, Kayode Fayemi, personally came down to the Convocation venue to applaud. Similarly, Mr. Oluwaseun Ayansola, a 2016/2017 graduate of Law emerged the best overall student with the highest number of prizes at the convocation ceremonies.

A total of three hundred and eighty eight (388) diplomas; sixteen thousand, three hundred and twenty (16,320) first degrees; three hundred and twenty six (326) postgraduate diplomas; three thousand, four hundred and thirty (3,430) masters degrees, and four hundred and ten (410) doctoral degrees were conferred over the four-day period set aside for the Convocation Ceremonies.

A honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) was also awarded to Professor Biodun Jeyifo who has registered a permanent presence in the global arena of literary criticism, social activism and public discourse. His works have impacted positively on the study of African literature as well as related fields such as Theatre, Film, African Studies, African-American Cultural Studies and Post-Colonial Studies.


Source:https://oauife.edu.ng/news-events/item/139-come-up-with-solutions-to-the-nation-s-problems-buhari-challenges-academics-as-oau-graduates-13-809

lalasticlala mynd44

Buhari, Academics and Graduates shouldn’t be in the same sentence. Buhari should be more concerned with cows and burukutu

Joke of the century

Person wey nor fit defend he waec result

when we already have another 4years problem in the labour room?












I can't shout!

Davash222:
Buhari, Academics and Graduates shouldn’t be in the same sentence. Buhari should be more concerned with cows and burukutu

says someone that dropped out of school in primary 2

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