From Damola Adeloye, Ibadan
President Bola Tinubu yesterday in Ibadan lamented that his administration inherited a bad economy that was struggling to stay afloat across all sectors, but had managed to salvage the country from imminent bankruptcy.
Tinubu, who is the visitor to the University of Ibadan, UI, was represented at its 76th Foundation Day Anniversary by the Minister of State for Education, Dr Suwaiba Ahmadu.
The president emphasised that his administration inherited an economy that was struggling to stay afloat across all sectors.
Describing the UI as having assumed the status of ‘Big Brother’ to other universities, Tinubu stressed that “tertiary institutions have remained the largest beneficiaries of allocations to the education sector, through increased funding of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, and Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND.
“NELFUND is a student loan scheme designed for eligible students across tertiary institutions to access interest-free loans. This initiative is to facilitate financial access to higher education and empower students to pursue their academic aspirations. We are not there yet, but please note that this development is not a destination but a journey.”
Tinubu therefore charged universities management “to reassess themselves in the light of national and global expectations. Any university that does not make worthwhile contributions to the positive transformation of its country and the global community has failed to live up to the reason for its existence.”
The event was witnessed by many dignitaries including the Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakarr, (the Sultan of Sokoto); Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Chief Bisi Akande, represented by Nelson Alakpa; Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, represented by his Deputy, Chief Adebayo Lawal; Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Zulum; Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Akinloye, represented by the Otun Olubadan and former Oyo State governor, Senator Rasidi Ladoja; former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari; Senator Sarafadeen Alli, among many others.
The university led by Professor Kayode Adebowale used the anniversary to confer honorary awards on four distinguished Nigerians including a former Registrar of the University of Ibadan, Mrs Mojisola Ladipo; Professor Olufemi Bamiro (former UI VC); Alhaji Mohammad Indimi, and Mr Victor Etuokwu of Access Bank LLC. It awarded Ph.D degrees to three Doctors of Medicine and 546 Doctors of Philosophy.
The Sultan of Sokoto in his address appealed to government to do more in the provision of adequate and proper funding of tertiary institutions.
“We are not unaware of the dwindling state of economies of nations, world over. However, we are optimistic that prioritising education will raise the standard of the output of our institutions and thereby some of the ills bedeviling our society,” the sultan said.
He urged parents, students, youths and all, to show understanding with management in trying to explore ways to compliment the efforts of government.
