Ile-Ife, Osun State: President Bola Tinubu has reiterated that education remains the cornerstone of national development and the most powerful instrument for driving socio-economic transformation.
Tinubu, represented by Prof. Kabir Bala, a former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, stated this at the 49th Convocation ceremony of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, on Saturday.
He said that education was the light that could remove poverty, ignorance and fear, stressing the need for a nation to invest in education.
According to him, his administration will continue to prioritise revitalising the education sector through reform, infrastructure renewal, and enhanced access.
“We will also continue to strengthen policies and programmes that would make learning accessible, relevant and sustainable.
“We are determined to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of background, enjoys the opportunity to learn, to create and to thrive,” he stated.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, while delivering the convocation lecture, tasked the university authorities to ensure adequate management of the institution’s resources.
Akpabio, who was represented by Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim, opposed pen-and-paper examinations, saying that computer-based exams would enhance integrity.
The Senate president charged the graduating students to align their vision with their vast destiny.
Also, the Chancellor, OAU, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, appreciated the President for his commitment to education as a tool for national transformation, which continues to inspire both policy and progress in Nigeria.
Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe, admonished graduates to stand for excellence and innovation wherever they find themselves, rather than wait for others to create opportunities for them.
He urged them to use their skills to uplift communities, create opportunities, break barriers, and be responsible citizens.
Similarly, the Acting Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Mr Joseph Abaagu, called for a minute’s silence for the late Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Siyan Oyeweso.
Abaagu said that the Council and the university management were working to create a conducive, peaceful learning environment with minimal disruptions to the academic calendar.
He admonished the graduates to utilise the knowledge and skills they had gained to build their futures and to be good ambassadors of the institution.
The institution conferred honorary doctorate awards on four notable individuals – Emeritus Professor Olu Aina, Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi, Engineer Demola Aladekomo and Alhaji Adeyemi Adeniji.