…Calls For More Investment In Sector
Former President Olusegun Obasabjo has lamented the decay in Nigeria’s education system, calling for all-inclusive reforms to effectively rescue the sector.
Chief Obasanjo expressed the worry when the leadership of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities paid him a courtesy visit, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The former President explained that unless the entire system is totally overhauled and comprehensively reformed, the country’s education sector would continue to decline and dwinde.
The delegation which was led by the Chairman of the CVCNU, Professor Samuel Edoumiekumo, who also doubles as the Vice- Chancellor, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, was in Abeokuta, Ogun State to intimate the ex-President on the forthcoming 60th Anniversary ceremony of the highly revered organization slated for October 2022.
While welcoming the leadership of CVCNU, Chief Obasanjo emphasized the need for more attention to be directed towards investment in education.
He noted that education remains a critical factor driving innovation, technological advancement and employment opportunities.
According to him, “One of the things we haven’t gotten right in Nigeria is education and if we get it right; it will be the basis of getting a number of other things right”.
‘If you think education is expensive try ignorance.“
Recounting with fond memories, significant and land mark achievements recorded during his tenure as Preaident, Chief Obansanjo canvassed for government at all levels to make education accessible and affordable to all and at all levels.
Commenting on the process for the appointment of Vice Chancellor, Obasanjo urged the leadership of institutions to restrict itself to nominations and assemblage of the necessary credentials for the appointment of Vice Chancellors.
He said that appointment of Vice Chancellors should be the prerogative of State Governors at the state-owned universities and the President for Federal Universities
Chief Obasanjo also suggested some basic qualities required for would-be Vice Chancellor(s) to include ability to provide both academic and administrative leadership to the university.
He added that a Vice should also have the capacity to secure a financial base sufficient to allow the delivery of the University’s mission , aims and objectives
Chairman of CVCNU, Professor Gowon lauded Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for granting the leadership of CVCNU an audience out of his busy and crowded schedules.
He said the purpose of the courtesy visit was to tap from his wealth of experience as a reservoir of knowledge, who was once the Visitor to all the nation’s Federal Universities during his eight rule as the democratically elected President of Nigeria
Prof Gowon said this informed their visit to the one time Nigeria President , in view of the preparation to mark the 60th Anniversary Celebration of CVCNU, stressing that the visit will assist the CVCNU to have a successful outing.
In the company of Prof Gowon, Chairman of CVCNU, were Professor Yakubu Aboki Ochefu and Professor Peace Chinedum Babalola presented him with a plague of all Nigerian University logos embellished on it.
Others in the delegation were; Professor Felix Kolawale Salako Vice-Chancellor Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Professor Ayobami Salami Vice-Chancellor First Technical University Ibadan, Professor Ibrahim Gbajabiamila Vice-Chancellor Crescent University Abeokuta and Professor Donald Abidemi Odeleye the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Education Lead City University Ibadan.
From the Secretariat of the CVCNU were Ms. Sylverina Olaghere Projects & Programmes Officer and Ms. Karen Daaor Communications Office.
Highlights of the visit was a presentation of a plaque of all Nigerian Universities logos embossed on it, to the former President by Professor Yakubu Aboki Ochefu and Professor Peace Chinedum Babalola
