President Bola Tinubu has urged young people in the country to play a role in solving the nation’s problems noting that they are imbued with energy, intelligence, intellect, integrity, and courage.
He added that the importance of their contributions cannot be overemphasized.
Team@orientactualmags.com learned that the president, who said this while giving his speech during the 39th convocation ceremony held by the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, on Tuesday, also emphasized the role of education in illuminating the future of ‘our great nation’ and the world at large.
President Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Hon Hon Yusuf Tanko Sununu , also commended the University of Ilorin for having ‘an enduring reputation for academic excellence’.
‘I sincerely congratulate all the graduands for achieving this great feat. Your efforts have earned you this celebration and commendation. As you step into the real world, the onus is on you to contribute your quota to the greatness of this country. Remember that your existence will only be meaningful if you make positive impacts.
Distinguished graduands, ladies and gentlemen, Nigeria is currently witnessing critical economic and security challenges. These challenges are many and multidimensional, but they are surmountable and the government is doing all to overcome the challenges.
The future of our nation depends on what we, the citizens, make of the current situation, as young people imbued with energy, intelligence, intellect, integrity, and courage, the nation needs you and your contributions. Your determination and disposition to these issues will enable us to overcome our present challenges and build a nation we can all be proud of’ he said.
The president, who talked about the student loan scheme introduced by his administration, submitted that it has not only become operative but has also come to stay.
‘The Federal Government has begun the disbursement of student loans to tertiary institutions to cushion the effects of the current economic situation. Students at the University of Ilorin are not left out among the beneficiaries of this loan scheme. I am happy to inform you that the Nigerian Education Loans Fund (NELFUND) has come to stay to provide opportunities and access for students to learn with ease and pay back later. I, therefore, urge every student to take advantage of this privilege to better their lots’ he added.
President Tinubu also disclosed that steps are already being taken to address manpower shortages in tertiary institutions in the country.
‘We are also aware of the depleting staff strength in our universities. In response, the institutions were recently given the waiver to recruit more staff members to replace those who have left their services as a result of death, retirement or resignation’ the president submitted while emphasizing the need for workers at the nation’s public universities to shun industrial actions.
‘My government is committed to uninterrupted academic calendar. Let me therefore appeal to the staff members of the nation’s Universities to always give peace a chance. Our universities, just as the entire nation itself, need peace to ensure prosperity. Gone were the days when Universities would be closed down over issues that could be resolved through constructive engagements. No one gains anything from the closure of institutions of learning. We have grown beyond that and we should not return to that path. We would not allow that to happen again. Our universities should always be open for continued quality teaching, research and community service to flourish.
We would, therefore, ensure that the Federal Government and our various universities enjoy a new form of good and positive relationship in the interest of the nation and humanity. We would ensure that this fraternity is sustained through honest and consistent open engagement between the government on one side, and the Universities on the other’ he said.
The Federal Government, he added, has also paid four months of the previously withheld salaries of academic staff of universities while also directing the payment of the withheld salaries of the non-teaching staff .
The president also disclosed that the payment of salaries to university staff members has been removed from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) while acknowledging the remarkable achievements of the University of Ilorin, which made it get well-placed to serve as a true centre of academic excellence.
Chairman of the Governing Council, Surveyor Abiodun Aluko, in his speech , noted that the University of Ilorin was adjudged to have the highest number of foreign students in the country for the 2023 admission exercise .
Commending the President Tinubu administration for establishing the National Education Loans Fund (NELFUND) scheme , Aluko also noted that it ‘remains one of the best developments in the nation’s education sector in recent times’ adding that ‘it is undoubtedly a great relief to many struggling students and their parents’.
He also commended the Kwara State government for not abandoning the university at any point in time since its establishment in 1975.
‘We have received various supports as we anticipate more of such assistance from the government and people of the state’ he said.
Aluko also talked about the Vision 1: 10: 500 that was unveiled by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wahab Egbewole submitting that he (the VC) has the Governing Council’s full support.
‘Latching on the University Administration’s Vision 1: 10: 500, which the Governing Council under my leadership has decided to rename Vision 1: 10: 100, I fervently believe that the best University in Nigeria should be able solve the problems of Nigeria, just as any of the top ten universities in Africa should be capable of addressing Africa’s challenges. Moreover, any of the top 500 universities in the world should have the capacity to solve the pressing issues facing the global society. This is exactly what the Governing Council intends to help the University to achieve. We must do all we can to fulfill our mission for the country to realise its destiny. I urge all staff, students, alumni, and other stakeholders to join the Council and the Management in making this journey’ he said.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq ,who was represented by Professor Shehu Raheem Adaramaja, Executive Chairman of Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KWASUBEB) ,called education the foundation of any thriving society while urging the graduands to be drivers of positive change, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
The governor also restated his administration’s commitment to youth development while urging the graduands to embrace the challenges before them, and seize the opportunities that lie ahead
‘Our administration remains committed to youth development. Our goal has been to create an enabling environment for success through education, innovation, creativity, healthcare, tourism and entrepreneurship investments. Kwara State is your home; together, we can build a prosperous future’ he added.
Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Wahab Egbewole said the institution has contributed to national development by producing notable Nigerians. He encouraged the graduands to remain adaptable and continue to learn in the face of global competition.
A total of 12,042 students graduated from the University of Ilorin during its 39th Convocation Ceremony.
‘In the First Degree/Diploma category, we have 256 First Class, 3,842 Second Class (Upper Division), 6,178 Second Class (Lower Division), 1,299 Third Class and 62 Pass.
The 39th Convocation Ceremony also include 124 MB/BS graduands, 64 nursing graduands, 35 optometry graduands, 30 veterinary medicine graduands, 18 graduands with distinction and 85 graduands with pass in pharmacy, 1 distinction and 32 pass in physiotherapy.
We have a total of 16 diploma degree holders. Furthermore, the total number of higher degrees to be awarded at the 39th Convocation Ceremony is 1,875; out of this figure, there are 92 postgraduate diplomas, 1,280 master’s degrees from different faculties, 179 professional master’s degrees, 1 MPhil and 323 PhDs’ the Vice-Chancellor had submitted during the press conference he presided over last week-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
