Babcock VC wants media to lead campaign for restoration of value system
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
The Vice Chancellor of Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Prof Ademola Stephen Tayo, has said the continued deterioration of societal values where character and integrity mean nothing and the value of money is above all should be a source of concern to all.
Prof Ademola Tayo has, therefore, urged media practitioners to take up the gauntlet and help with their various media platforms to lead the campaign against restoration of the value system said to be fabric of a just, progressive and egalitarian society.
He disclosed this on Sunday while answering questions during the annual luncheon held for journalists at the Babcock University Guest House, Ilisan Remo.
While condemning the recent reported cult-related clashes in secondary schools, students beating teachers to death among others, he said these degrading behaviours are fall out of the continued deterioration of the essentials values of strong character, integrity, respect for authority, good names above silver and gold all of which are pivotal to a strong and just society.
The Vice Chancellor said, “I want to say that all these challenges have a lot to do with the continued deterioration of our strong value system. We have to go back to value above money, we have to stop celebrating inanities, things that are not right, we must fear God and quit worshipping money. All of us must get involved and do the right thing in our little corners”.
He said it was on this note that he was charging journalists to double up efforts in using their various media platforms to constantly place these issues about developing strong moral values, values of good upbringing, respect for elders and constituted authority, integrity, diligence, strong character among others on the front burner.
The Vice Chancellor also urged the federal government to tackle headlong the protracted insecurity problem as well as challenges of deficit in infrastructure and unstable power supply as all these have been scaring away foreign investors.
He emphasised the need for the government to intensify creating enabling environment that will aid businesses to flourish and further impact on the ailing country’s economy.
The VC said that the university was forced to hike its fees recently to reflect the reality of rising cost of living since the school would also want to continue to maintain its quality standard in all the services being rendered.
He said, “The tuition fee was reviewed last in 2017 but the prices of things have since gone up, we all know how much a bag of rice and beans are sold now, yet we still want to maintain our standard, we still want to maintain our best hands, pay our staff competitive salaries so that they keep on giving their best.
“For instance, on electricity alone from our independent power plant, we spend N95million monthly. It should also be noted that these fees are composite, it includes feeding, accomodation and access to qualitative healthcare… so, the increment is only reflecting the reality of the economy.”
Prof Tayo said the university has remained committed to expanding frontiers of academic excellence both in teaching and research churning out graduates that have continued to impact the world for good.
He said the annual luncheon is purposely held to celebrate the journalists for their resilience, resourcefulness and being out there against all odds to ensure that people are adequately kept abreast of the happenings around them saying that “these young men and women deserve our applause from time to time.”
