Written by Adebayo Waheed Friday, 04 June 2010
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has called for the cooperation of Nigerian universities towards making the country one of the leading economies in the world.
The president, while speaking at the special convocation ceremony of the University of Ibadan on Thursday, said the vision to make Nigeria one of the 20 leading economies in the world was being pursued with great dedication and commitment.
President Jonathan, who disclosed that the University of Ibadan had been selected as one of six universities to benefit from the Education Tax Fund (ETF) special intervention fund of N33 billion, expresses belief that the fund would be judiciously utilised for a better turn-round in the provision of faculties.
He called on the private sector to be actively involved in the task of providing quality education, sayig that universities must define their roles and carve out a niche by designing programmes that would progressively assist government in poverty reduction, promoting health application of new technologies in the advancement of knowledge, advancing gender equality, protecting the environment, sustainable development, extending democracy and good governance.
While noting that the University of Ibadan, which is the premier university in Nigeria was not rated among the first 20 universities in Africa, President Jonathan stated that the university had all it takes to overcome this challenge.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Professor Dapo Afolabi, President Jonathan challenged the university to be more determined in the vigorous pursuit of academic excellence so as to achieve its vision which was to become a world-class institution.
Speaking, the university’s Pro-Chancellor, and Chairman of Governing Council, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who appreciated government’s efforts at making university autonomy, however said there could not be any autonomy without proper funding.
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