December 18, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari has charged Universities in the country to contribute to national development and come up with solutions like in Europe to tackle the scourge of covid-19
The president who expressed optimism that the country would soon survive the security, economic, social and other problems bedevilling the country, urged the citizens to be committed to contributing their quota in the development of the country.
He assured management of universities that his government is incurably committed to tackling cases of sexual harassment, extortion, kidnapping and killings militating against the Nigerian university system.
Speaking at the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) on Saturday, during the combined 5th and 6th convocation ceremonies, Buhari, represented by a Director in the National Universities Commission, Mr John Ahmadu, said nothing will be spared to make the universities a safe teaching grounds for the country’s scholars and professionals.
He said, “My administration will, as always, continue to welcome constructive criticisms from all Nigerians on how to address our country’s various challenges.
“The stories emanating from some of our campuses, such as sexual harassment, extortion, plagiarism and other forms of intellectual fraud and corruption are totally unacceptable. The Unions can do more to assist in addressing these issues, for a much better university system.
“Security has also become a major concern in our universities in recent times. Specifically, insurgency, rural banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and a host of others have been on the ascendancy, threatening national security and stability. These condemnable acts are now gradually being extended to our universities, with cases of kidnapping in some ivory towers.
“As a Government, while sympathising with the management, staff and students of the affected universities, as well as the families of affected staff and students, let me use this opportunity to reassure all Nigerians that their security remains our utmost priority. We will stop at nothing to put an end to these dastardly acts.”
The President urged FUOYE and other institutions in the country to contribute to national development and come up with solutions like in Europe to tackle the scourge of covid-19.
“I, therefore, challenge us as a community of scholars and thinkers, to be more engaged in the global dialogue on the search for both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical solutions to the pandemic,” he said.
Buhari added that his government will continue to support the university system through improved funding and infrastructural development regard, saying TETFUND has been repositioned to be able to address the infrastructural gaps in the tertiary institutions.
“We will continue to support the university system through improved funding and infrastructural development. In this regard, my government has repositioned the TETFUND to be able to address the infrastructural gaps in our tertiary institutions.
“As an evidence of our commitment to the welfare of university staff, the Federal Government recently released funds for the payment of Earned Allowances as well as the revitalisation of universities. We will continue to do more within available resources considering other competing national needs”, he said.
Buhari said his administration had handled funding issues in universities “through multiple sources, including education budgets across various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, but most importantly through the Federal Ministry of Education as well as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund. As a government, we will not relent on this commitment.
He commended the National Universities Commission (NUC), the regulator of university education in Nigeria, which, as part of its efforts towards enhancing quality university education, has recently released its 2021 Ranking of Nigerian Universities using 13 indicators developed by stakeholders.
FUOYE Vice-Chancellor, Prof, Abayomi Fasina, who said the university had been growing in leaps and bounds and making excellent academic exploits, called on TETFUND and as well other stakeholders to come to its aid to resolve some of its challenges.
The VC said, “This university has been hampered and confronted by a number of challenges. These include inadequate funding, security issues such as land trespass due to lack of perimeter fencing, inadequate infrastructural facilities and so on.
“Let me appeal to TETFUND Executive Secretary, Prof. Elias Bogoro to consider us for special interventions funds, especially in the area of perimeter fencing and construction of lecture auditorium.
“The university now boasts of about 30,000 students. The geometric growth rate comes with its own challenges, including population pressures, shortage of facilities and infrastructures,” Abayomi said.
At the academic event, no fewer than 88 graduates bagged First class Bachelor Degree as Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) graduated 2,599 across all the departments.
Also, the Attah Igala and Chancellor of FUOYE, HRM Mathew Opaluwa Oguche, former Rector, Kaduna Polytechnic, Dr Nuhu Yakubu and the owner of Bova’s Petroleum Nigeria Limited, Mrs Victoria Samson, bagged honorary doctorates of the institution.
About the Author
