A lecturer has advised Nigerian students to see themselves as agents of positive change for rapid socioeconomic and political development of the country.
Former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnership, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Professor Olanike Adeyemo, made the appeal in her keynote address at an event held in Ibadan to commemorate the 2022 International Students Day with the theme: “Change Makers.”
Adeyemo identified self actualisation, passion, motivation, commitment and creativity as tools of change, urging the youths not to be discouraged by the happenings in their environment but rather think about the way out.
She charged the students to value qualitative education, noting that would assist them in no small measure to navigate through the challenges of life.
The Guest of Honour at the event, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, while addressing the students, reiterated the commitment of his administration to protecting the rights and interests of the students by moving in the direction that would lead to peaceful coexistence in the state campuses.
He assured that his administration would not stop the payment of bursaries and award of scholarships to indigent students in the state, saying he would continue to have constant engagements with the Students’ Union bodies in higher institutions across the state, in order to ensure stability in the sector.
The governor noted that his administration’s scholarship and bursary awards were designed to encourage indigent students in the pursuit of academic excellence and expressed optimism that his administration would not rest on its oars in ensuring that Oyo State students get their share of the dividends of democracy as and when due.
Makinde disclosed that every tertiary institution in the state had benefited in one way or the other from the programmes and policies of his administration, affirming that he would continue to prioritise education as the foundation upon which sustainable development could be built.
The governor described the students as a critical part of the state’s population, which cannot be ignored by any serious government that is committed to human development, promising that before the end of the year, buses would be given to all Students’ Union bodies and indigenous associations in tertiary institutions across the state and that his administration was always ready to engage the students and other relevant stakeholders.
He further reeled out his administration’s achievements in tertiary institutions in the state as including, sole ownership of LAUTECH 15 percent reduction in the tuition fee of the institution and accreditation of over 30 courses at the Polytechnic, Ibadan, by NBTE, among others.
Governor Makinde further charged the students to get their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and vote for candidates that would defend their welfare.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Oyo State, Quadril Adeleke, assured the governor of the commitment of the students towards ensuring peace and tranquility in the state.
The event, which was held at the International Conference Center, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, was attended by top government functionaries from Oyo State and students from across all the public-owned institutions of higher learning in the state.
The high point of the event was the presentation of a gift of the portrait of the governor, painted by one of the students, and made to the governor.
