Jack Acheme, Abuja
Nigerian students in the University system have been tasked to use their studies to solve challenges in society, especially in the areas of public health and the fight against corruption.
Former Minister of Power and Governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola, gave the charge as the Keynote Speaker at the 2025 Matriculation Ceremony of the MIVA Open University in Abuja, Nigeria, where 8,000 new students were enrolled.
The ceremony also witnessed the induction of 10 professors of practice to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Fashola said the University system and the associated degree certificates provide opportunity for critical thinking and problem solving, which the MIVA University keyed into using cutting-edge technology to reach people anywhere, anytime.
He urged the matriculants, especially those reading Public Health, to see their educational career as a preparation towards leadership and service to the community.
“You will be the next army of public health workers to fight the ills of society. You are being trained to lead and serve people.
“Education prepares you for the community. MIVA wants to prepare you to be leaders in your community, like the way public health workers confronted Ebola when people were leaving Lagos in droves for the fear of their lives,” he said.
He equally tasked those reading Cybersecurity and Criminology to find ways of reducing technology-aided corruption in society.
“Your training in Cyber security and criminology in MIVA should solve or bring about the ability to track and recover funds stolen from people’s accounts in financial institutions,” he said
He urged the students to see the induction of the professors of practice as a rare opportunity for them to acquire practical knowledge alongside theory, which will help them in the 21st-century competitive working environment.
“The professors of practice bring to you what many did not get. They are here to bridge theory with practice. Pay attention to them as they will ground you with their years of experience.
“Many of them have a reputation that has been forging over the years,” he said.
Lateefah Ibrahim