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Obasanjo laments decay in Nigeria’s education system

 

Obasanjo laments decay in Nigeria’s education system

 

BY GEORGE UDOH

 

Nigeria Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasabjo has lamented the extent of decay in Nigeria’s education system, calling for all-inclusive reforms to effectively rescue  the sector.

Chief Obasanjo who expressed this 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,  explained that unless the entire system is totally overhauled and comprehensively reformed, the country’s education sector will continue to decline and dwinde  .

The  delegation which  was  led  by the Chairman of the CVCNU,  Professor Samuel Gowon Edoumiekumo, who also double as the  Vice- Chancellor Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, were in Abeokuta, Ogun State  to intimate the former Nigeria 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, adding that education is 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 “

 

While recounting with fond memories, significant  and land mark achievements recorded during his  tenure  as the Nation number one citizen, 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 ,Chief Obasanjo urged the leadership of to restrict itself  to nominations and assemblage of the necessary credentials  for the appointment of Vice Chancellors , while appointment of Vice Chancellors should be the prerogative responsibilities of  State Governors at the  state-owned universities and the President  Federal Universities

 

Chief  Obasanjo also suggested some basic qualities required  for would-be Vice Chancellor(s);

According to him, the would-be vice- chancellor should  be able to provide both academic and administrative leadership  to the whole university and should  also have the capacity to  secure a financial base sufficient to allow the  delivery of the University; mission , aims and objectives

 

Earlier, the 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 convoy of Prof Gowon , Chairman of CVCNU,  was Professor Yakubu Aboki Ochefu and Professor Peace Chinedum Babalola presented him with a Plague of all Nigerian University logos embellished on it.

Others include  members of 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 we had Ms. Sylverina Olaghere Projects & Programmes Officer and Ms. Karen Daaor Communications Office

 

 

Part of the 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

 

 

 

Obasanjo to Nigerians: If you think Education is Expensive, try Ignorance

 

 

The Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities on the 15th of February, 2022 paid a courtesy Visit to the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Abeokuta. This delegation was led by the Chairman of the CVCNU in the person of Professor Samuel Gowon Edoumiekumo Vice- Chancellor Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island.

The purpose for this visit was to gain insights and his wealth of experience on his role as the then Visitor to Nigerian Federal Universities, this is in view of our 6oth Anniversary which is scheduled to hold in October, 2022.

In our interaction with Chief Obasanjo, he expressed his concern in the area of our Educational Sector and mentioned that 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.

He summed up with the saying that goes ‘’ If you think Education is Expensive, try Ignorance”.

Discussing significant events that occurred during his tenure, he shared his thought on why the President or Governor should have the final say in the Appointment of a Vice-chancellor in Universities; and advised that the Council should be solely in charge after giving criteria and have made nominations.

Obasanjo also mentioned that he believes in Education, Education for everyone and at all levels.  And also, that the interactions between the University and the Towns (Community) are not enough, they need to know what the University about.

Lastly, with regards Leadership, his advice to New Vice-Chancellors would be that; they be should be good Administrators, Sound Academically and most importantly be good in Fundraising.

Professor Gowon thanked him for giving us the privilege and audience to speak with the delegation, after which the Secretary -General of the CVCNU, Professor Yakubu Aboki Ochefu and Professor Peace Chinedum Babalola presented him with a Plague of all Nigerian University logos embellished on it.

Other members of 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 we had Ms. Sylverina Olaghere Projects & Programmes Officer and Ms. Karen Daaor Communications Officer.