A sum of ten million naira was awarded to 15 graduating students during the Convocation Ceremony of the Olabisi Onabanjo University in the 2023/2024 academic session held on Friday.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun as a way of encouraging academic excellence gave the overall best graduating student, Miss Dauda Aishat Anuoluwapo a sum of N3m while 14 others who performed excellently in different faculties received the sum of N500,000 each.
He noted that beyond Ogun being the education capital of Nigeria, the state governments vision is to make Ogun State the capital of academy excellence and innovation.
Governor Abiodun made this known in his address at the 34th
Convocation Ceremonies for the conferment of Honourary Degrees, Award of
Higher Degrees and Diplomas, presentation of prizes alongside
admissions into First Degrees Programs of the University held at OGD
hall, main campus, Ago Iwoye.
The governor who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said his administration has organised series of capacity building programs and policies that will enable its citizenry access to quality education in the state.
He stressed that OOU played a vital role in this nation particularly in capacity building through fostering research which culminate in academy excellence as well as community service, saying his government would ensure that the university continues to enjoy technological advancement and cutting edge resources to enhance these researches, alongside teaching and learning within its campuses.
According to the governor: “Let me assure you that our government remains fully committed to its continued development, this includes the construction of modern lecture hall, state of the art laboratories, student accommodation and recreational facilities.
“We are committed to expanding E-learning infrastructure and digital resources to equipped our students with the necessary tools to compete in an increasingly globalised world.”
The state helmsman hinted that the NELFUND initiate under the renewed hope agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has significantly supported students across tertiary institutions, thereby enabling them to acquire the education needed for a secured future.
While also appreciating the contributions of TETFUND at repositioning the state tertiary institutions through their various interventions.
He said the establishment of the State Education Trust Fund in 2020
for infrastructural development in state owned tertiary institutions not
covered by TETFUND interventions, was
to further enhance governments investment in tertiary institutions.
Revealing that plans are underway to expand the funds to primary and secondary institutions, as a way of demonstrating a strong commitment to providing qualitative and accessible education at all levels.
While calling on well meaning individuals, corporate organisations and the organised private sector, to partner with it in furthering educational development in Ogun State, he said educational development was a responsibility of all, in the bid to collectively build a future where every child has access to quality education, skills and knowledge to succeed.
He congratulated Dr. Adekunle Hassan on his honourary award of Doctor of Science “Honouris Causa”, and thanked him for donating N500m endowment fund in the Professorial chair to the Ophthalmology Department, and N500m to the School of Eye Health in the institution.
He encouraged the graduands to carry with them the values and principles that shaped them, strive to be innovative, problem solvers and leaders in their respective fields as the world they are going into is filled with both challenges and opportunities.
In their separate remarks the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Toyin Ashiru and the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola appreciated the visitor to the university, governor Abiodun for his presence at the occasion, saying it affirms the premium value his administration places on education as a means of holistic and transformative development of the state.
The duo said past years have been marked with significant milestones which include expansion of academic programmes, infrastructural development, national recognition in technology amongst others.
While congratulating the graduating students, they urged them to be fearless in the pursuit of their dreams and be unwavering in the commitment to making a difference as well as using the knowledge and skills garnered in the cause of their studies to contribute meaningfully to the society and uplift humanity
Speaking on the topic ‘TETFUND and Educational Development in Nigeria: The History, Treasures and Future’, the convocation lecturer and the Executive Secretary Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Architect Sunday Echono, said no doubt that TETFund has recorded laudable achievements under its various intervention lines to include infrastructural projects.
These projects cut across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education that range from senate buildings, classrooms, lecture theatres amongst others, there was however need for Nigeria as a country to invest more in its education sector as well as find a way of sustaining the funding of institutions in the country.
He explained that the future of Nigeria’s educational development should be anchored on strengthening tertiary education for sustainable national development in a post-subsidy era in Nigeria, adding that for our educational institutions to be competitive, the tertiary education system remove its focus from the overarching philosophy of Nigeria to a more flexible and diversified one.
In her valedictory speech on behalf of the graduands, the overall best undergraduate student, Miss Dauda Aishat Anuoluwapo said that the journey to success has been demanding but hard work, dedication and focus has contributed to their success.
She appreciated the state government for its unflinching support to the school, recognizing in no small measure the contributions of the management and staff of the institution in building and reshaping their lives during period of studies.
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