Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has stated that government at the federal, states and local levels must do more to create jobs.
He gave the advise at the 10th anniversary and 6th and 7th convocation ceremonies of Tai Solarin University of Education, TASUED, Ijagun, Ijebu Ode.
“If there is no job for the unemployed to feed themselves and also to contribute to the development of the country, then, we will all be sitting on gun powder.
“If university education was not for development then, it was not serving any useful purpose. It must be for development, personal, local, national and even global and that is very important”, he stated.
Obasanjo noted that education was a means of breaking the poverty cycle, adding: “I believe in lifelong education. Nobody should stop learning until he or she dies.”
Baba OBJ explained that he accepted the award because of the personality the school was named after, Tai Solarin, who according to him, was one of the greatest educationists.
He also told the audience that he was honoured to be honoured in conjunction with Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, insisting, “Anywhere Mama is being honoured, we must join hands to honour her.”
Obasanjo was honoured with an Honourary Doctorate of Education in Political Science while HID was honoured with Honourary Doctorate in Business Education while Aliko Dangote was conferred with Honorary Doctorate in Science and Business Education. HID Awolowo’s daughter, Mrs Tola Adeniran, received the award on behalf of her mother.
Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, in his speech said: “This year’s convocation ceremony, which marks the successful completion of another academic session, is a continued demonstration of commitment to the production of qualified teaching personnel for our education system.
“You are all expected to use your collective wisdom, knowledge, ability and exposure to sustain and promote the ideals of this great institution.”
Amosun disclosed that the 12 First Class students would be given automatic employment by the state government.
Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Oluyemisi Obilade, remarked that “The university is a specialised university, uniquely positioned to respond to national and global educational needs for equipping graduands with the necessary and pedagogical skills as well as content knowledge for effective teaching and learning.”
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