Investing in Educational System Can Make Nigeria Great Again - Prof. Olupona

 

A Nigerian Harvard Professor, Jacob Olupona says Nigeria must rethink and reinvest in the nation's education system if it must be great again. The Harvard University teacher hinted while delivering the 31st convocation lecture of the University of Ilorin on the theme “Educational Reform and Nation Building in Nigeria”.

 

The Prof. submitted that Nigeria's greatness will come through a rigorous transformation and reformation of the educational system. He noted:  “It is through a strong educational system that we can reform our national image ,ethos and unity. If we want good governance,we must look to education. If we want to decrease poverty and increase literacy ,we must look to education .If we want a skilled,discipline , and hard working labour force ,we must look to education. If we truly want change in our country,we must begin to rethink and reinvest in our education system,” 

While charging our higher institutions of learning to uphold a higher standard of learning, he also emphasized the need for parents to cultivate the attitudes of investing in public education as much as they do in private education. He charged old students to help in the growth of their schools by investing in their Alma mater to help in the transformation. Olupona blamed the Boko Haram insurgency on lack of proper education.

 

In his address, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali commended the graduands for making it thus far and encouraged them to acquire more skills to add to their certificates.

 

Concluding, the Chancellor of the University of Katsina, Alhaji AbdulMumini Usman praised the government's effort and commitment in education sector and thanked the Harvard professor for honouring the occasion.