BY GEORGE UDOH
Nigeria Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasabjo has lamented the extent of decay in Nigeria’s education system, calling for all-inclusive reforms to effectively rescue the sector.
Chief Obasanjo who expressed this worry when the leadership of The Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities paid him a courtesy visit, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State, explained that unless the entire system is totally overhauled and comprehensively reformed, the country’s education sector will continue to decline and dwinde .
The delegation which was led by the Chairman of the CVCNU, Professor Samuel Gowon Edoumiekumo, who also double as the Vice- Chancellor Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, were in Abeokuta, Ogun State to intimate the former Nigeria on the forthcoming 60th Anniversary Ceremony of the highly revered organization slated for October 2022.
While welcoming the leadership of CVCNU, Chief Obasanjo emphasized the need for more attention to be directed towards investment in education, adding that education is a critical factor driving innovation , technological advancement and employment opportunities
According to him “one of the things we haven’t gotten right in Nigeria is education and if we get it right; it will be the basis of getting a number of other things right”.
‘ if you think education is expensive try ignorance “
While recounting with fond memories, significant and land mark achievements recorded during his tenure as the Nation number one citizen, Chief Obansanjo canvassed for government at all levels to make education accessible and affordable to all and at all levels .
Commenting on the process for the appointment of Vice Chancellor ,Chief Obasanjo urged the leadership of to restrict itself to nominations and assemblage of the necessary credentials for the appointment of Vice Chancellors , while appointment of Vice Chancellors should be the prerogative responsibilities of State Governors at the state-owned universities and the President Federal Universities
Chief Obasanjo also suggested some basic qualities required for would-be Vice Chancellor(s);
According to him, the would-be vice- chancellor should be able to provide both academic and administrative leadership to the whole university and should also have the capacity to secure a financial base sufficient to allow the delivery of the University; mission , aims and objectives
Earlier, the Chairman of CVCNU, Professor Gowon lauded Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for granting the leadership of CVCNU an audience out of his busy and crowded schedules.
He said the purpose of the courtesy visit was to tap from his wealth of experience as a reservoir of knowledge, who was once the Visitor to all the nation’s Federal Universities during his eight rule as the democratically elected President of Nigeria
Prof Gowon said this informed their visit to the one time Nigeria President , in view of the preparation to mark the 60th Anniversary Celebration of CVCNU, stressing that the visit will assist the CVCNU to have a successful outing.
In the convoy of Prof Gowon , Chairman of CVCNU, was Professor Yakubu Aboki Ochefu and Professor Peace Chinedum Babalola presented him with a Plague of all Nigerian University logos embellished on it.
Others include members of the delegation were; Professor Felix Kolawale Salako Vice-Chancellor Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Professor Ayobami Salami Vice-Chancellor First Technical University Ibadan, Professor Ibrahim Gbajabiamila Vice-Chancellor Crescent University Abeokuta and Professor Donald Abidemi Odeleye the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Education Lead City University Ibadan. From the Secretariat of the CVCNU we had Ms. Sylverina Olaghere Projects & Programmes Officer and Ms. Karen Daaor Communications Office
Part of the highlights of the visit was a presentation of a plaque of all Nigerian Universities logos embossed on it, to the former President by Professor Yakubu Aboki Ochefu and Professor Peace Chinedum Babalola
Obasanjo to Nigerians: If you think Education is Expensive, try Ignorance
The Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities on the 15th of February, 2022 paid a courtesy Visit to the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Abeokuta. This delegation was led by the Chairman of the CVCNU in the person of Professor Samuel Gowon Edoumiekumo Vice- Chancellor Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island.
The purpose for this visit was to gain insights and his wealth of experience on his role as the then Visitor to Nigerian Federal Universities, this is in view of our 6oth Anniversary which is scheduled to hold in October, 2022.
In our interaction with Chief Obasanjo, he expressed his concern in the area of our Educational Sector and mentioned that one of the things we haven’t gotten right in Nigeria is EDUCATION and if we get it right; it will be the basis of getting a number of other things right.
He summed up with the saying that goes ‘’ If you think Education is Expensive, try Ignorance”.
Discussing significant events that occurred during his tenure, he shared his thought on why the President or Governor should have the final say in the Appointment of a Vice-chancellor in Universities; and advised that the Council should be solely in charge after giving criteria and have made nominations.
Obasanjo also mentioned that he believes in Education, Education for everyone and at all levels. And also, that the interactions between the University and the Towns (Community) are not enough, they need to know what the University about.
Lastly, with regards Leadership, his advice to New Vice-Chancellors would be that; they be should be good Administrators, Sound Academically and most importantly be good in Fundraising.
Professor Gowon thanked him for giving us the privilege and audience to speak with the delegation, after which the Secretary -General of the CVCNU, Professor Yakubu Aboki Ochefu and Professor Peace Chinedum Babalola presented him with a Plague of all Nigerian University logos embellished on it.
Other members of the delegation were; Professor Felix Kolawale Salako Vice-Chancellor Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Professor Ayobami Salami Vice-Chancellor First Technical University Ibadan, Professor Ibrahim Gbajabiamila Vice-Chancellor Crescent University Abeokuta and Professor Donald Abidemi Odeleye the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Education Lead City University Ibadan. From the Secretariat of the CVCNU we had Ms. Sylverina Olaghere Projects & Programmes Officer and Ms. Karen Daaor Communications Officer.