Former executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Emeritus Julius Okojie, has advocated that the solutions to the Nigerian education system should start at the basic and post basic levels.
He said that “the countries that made deliberate plans to succeed fixed the problems at the lowest levels of education; Nigeria must go back and pick up commissions reports and policies on education.”
He noted that the shortfalls in the required classrooms, qualified teachers, teaching and learning materials at the basic and post-basic education levels were what had been promoting out-of-school children phenomenon.
Professor Okojie stated this while delivering the convocation lecture entitled ‘The Nigerian Education System at a Crossroad at the third convocation ceremonies of the KolaDaisi University, Ibadan (KDUI), held in the Agbeke Memorial hall of the institution, on Thursday last week.
According to the former VC of Federal University of University of Abeokuta (FUNAAB) and pioneer VC of Bells University of Technology. Ota, “we cannot pretend to have good entrants into our universities if the basic education products lack self-esteem and integrity. Secondary schools are in no better situation.”
Offering solutions to the challenges bedeviling the Nigerian university system, he said the way out is “to put all hands on deck.”
He submitted that “the combined efforts of both public and private universities are required to take us to the level of technology development and research, required for our national development.”
He called on the government to provide the buildings and equipment needed for the skills development at basic education schools and to revisit the Needs Assessment of the higher education institutions.
In his address, the founder and chancellor of the university, Chief Kola Daisi while congratulating the students charged them “to be good ambassadors of the university and be part of the solution that the society urgently craves.”
Chairman, Board of Trustees, Professor Adeniyi Osuntogun, lauded the founder for his unrelenting contribution to the development of the institution especially on the provision of students and staff welfare as well as the construction of infrastructure and other essential facilities to promote conducive learning environment in the university
The pro-chancellor and chairman, Governing Council of KDU, Mr Remi Babalola, charged the graduands to keep evolving through continuous learning and never to stop dreaming about the future they strive to achieve.
The vice chancellor of the institution, Professor Adeniyi Olatubosun, disclosed that the institution turned out a total of 123 graduates this year, out of which 12 emerged with first class.
The 12 First Class graduates, whom he noted had consistently performed brilliantly from the beginning till their graduation from the university, had enjoyed the university’s scholarship scheme which rewards excellence among the students.
Giving the breakdown, he said five out of the First Class graduates emerged from the Computer Science Department, three from MicroBiology Department; two from Mass Communication Department, and also two from the Business Administration Department.
He added also that 50 graduated with second class upper division, 39, second class lower division and 22 with third class division.
The VC urged the graduands to brace up for the challenges ahead with bold courage and strong conviction, nurturing in their hearts that they are equipped to create a better world
He disclosed that in addition to the 24 programmes currently being run by the institution, the National Universities Commission (NUC) had granted the approval to run another five new programmes, namely B. Sc. Nursing, B.Sc. Medical Laboratory Science, B. Sc. Public Health, B.Sc. Human Physiology and B. Sc. Human Anatomy.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards and prizes to outstanding students of the institution.