President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says, his administration is committed to strengthening Nigeria’s educational institutions to be able to deliver quality education in line with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of his administration.
President Tinubu stated this Saturday on the occasion of the 11th Convocation ceremony of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), noting his government’s role in qualitative education. “This government is deeply aware of the unique role that qualitative education can play in developing men and women of character who are true citizens, who deliberately distance themselves from social vices in the service of their fatherland.
“Good education is a necessity, especially in a competitive world for creative thinking and innovative correct decision making required to properly address the complex and complicated socio-economic and political problems confronting our nation” and enjoined MOUAU to “continue to commit yourselves to the pursuit of good education. It remains the cardinal principle of national development as well as a lasting legacy we can bequeath to the future generations of our dear country.
“Consequently, my administration is committed to strengthening our educational institutions to be able to deliver quality education in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration.”
Represented by Prof. Garba Hamidu Sharubutu, the Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, ARCN stated that the establishment of specialized Universities of Agriculture in Nigeria was well thought-out and properly planned to achieve food security and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), MDGs.
This realisation he said, informed the establishment of additional University of Agriculture in the country and urged the private sector to join hands with Universities of Agriculture in forming partnerships and linkages to scale up agricultural research findings with a win-win target.
“The establishment of specialised Universities of Agricultures in this country was well thought-out and properly planned. As a nation, we are looking up to the Universities to innovatively drive the transformation of our Agricultural sector to achieve food security and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“This realisation informed the establishment of an additional University of Agriculture. Even with this number, the labourers are still few while the harvest is rich. I, therefore, encourage private organizations to join hands with the Universities of Agriculture in forming partnerships and linkages to scale up agricultural research findings with a win-win target.
“I strongly believe that we can become a very strong nation by developing the natural, human and material resources God has endowed us with”, the president said and further assured Nigerians that his administration is determined to find lasting solutions to the tough times facing citizens, disclosing that soon, local refineries will start working.
“This administration is aware of the myriad of socio-economic and political problems that the citizens of our nation are passing through. We are, however, determined to find a lasting solution to the tough times. Our policy instruments are currently being fine-tuned with the view to dealing firmly with the causes and not the symptoms of the problems.
“Very soon, some of our local refineries will start production and the current exorbitant prices of fuel energy will be greatly reduced. Part of the supplementary budget that the Parliament has approved will be applied to bring interventions at critical segments of the agricultural sector.
“The burden of insecurity is clearly a major challenge in Nigeria, but I assure you that in no distant time, it will become history. Bear with us and remain resolutely in support of this administration as we will leave no stone unturned in reversing the severe hardships that our people are currently passing through.
“I wish to assure you of the government’s continued support in the provision and improvement of infrastructure in our tertiary institutions and urge you to reciprocate Government effort by ensuring the sustenance of the peaceful and conducive environment necessary for proper teaching and effective learning”, and urged the graduands help to fast-track the rapid development of the country.
Earlier in his speech, the Vice-Chancellor, MOUAU, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe said on assumption of office as the 6″ Vice-Chancellor on 1″ March 2021, “My vision for, and vista of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike embrace that of a knowledge-giving, society-conscious-and-satisfying world-class University in which competent and committed staff shall consistently produce competent graduates, equipped with entrepreneurial, problem-solving and social skills and capacities, empowered to positively impact humanity through committed engagement in the advancement and utilization of contemporary and relevant knowledge and skills for promoting acceptable behaviour in society, excellent decision-making and disciplined habits of leadership and followership”.
A total of 8369 graduands were convocated.