Don advocates strong, good morals to tackle country’s challenges.
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Prof. Jude Mbukanma of Dominican University, Samonda, Ibadan has lamented the disturbing long absence of strong morals of patriotism, uprightness, diligence, contentment, reward for hardwork in the country saying that the restoration of these values will go a long way in tackling myriad of challenges confronting the country.
Prof. Mbukanma disclosed that a situation in our educational system where moral science is relegated while the study of natural science is celebrated will always lead to churning out of products that are morally bankrupt.
The Professor of Ethics and Philosophy of Religious Studies stated this while delivering the first inaugural lecture of the university with the theme “The Abandonment of Moral Science In The
Pursuit Of Natural Science Education; The Great Mistake In The Theory of
Modernization”.
He said Nigerians and their leaders at various levels of government must embrace the virtues of patriotism and love for the country to lift the nation above it’s many woes”.
Prof Mbukanma said it is therefore important for subject of moral science which teaches those strong virtues of love, diligence, truthfulness, contentment, patriotism among others to be introduced to the country’s educational curriculum and should be taught from the primary school.
He said “let us give Moral Science a priority consideration in our educational
system as we cannot expect good behavior if moral isn’t in place and
note that virtue is teachable and its reward is happiness.”
The erudite Professor emphasized that the focus on natural science lies
in the defect of modern philosophy of education, adding that though, science has given us technology which had proved very useful to humanity
but education in natural science and technology does not result in the
production of morally-good people in a political society and does not
have miracle of the conversion of human hearts.
He said “when people lack moral education, they make over and again erroneous
judgment in their moral choices and same in political life. However,
what is needed to be done to curb human tendency to resort to violence
and justify the aggression is simply the teaching of Moral Science in
families, society, Political environment and finally in our educational
system”.
Speaking on his Inaugural, he said the duty has been done as he can be
very sad if he couldn’t do it, adding that who knows when his stay on
earth will be over. He however acknowledged God Almighty for the
opportunity to deliver his believes on intellectual journey.
On the dwindling academic standard in Nigeria, Professor Jude O.
While thanking God for the grace to deliver the first inaugural lecture of the university
Mbukanma disclosed that the rot being witnessed in the education sector also boiled down absence of strong values such as patriotism, commitment, diligence among others.
He said that “people are no longer patriotic, many don’t even see it as a virtue
and people don’t like it. I think people don’t obey the details for moral law within their hearts
and what can we do? Nigerians have to love the country to be able to
solve the problem and in religion, we have to continue to pray that God
should touch the hearts of the leaders to do the right things for the country too”.
Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Anthony Alaba Akinwale expressed his joy to have his own teacher to
give first inaugural lecture at the university where he currently head.
Prof Akinwale said “It is very imperative to be reminded that the lecture of today
challenges us to ensure that we do not separate politics from morality;
and if separated, our challenges in the country will remain insurmountable”.
Other dignitaries at the lecture included the Dean of Science, Dominican University, Prof. Domingo Okorie,the acting Librarian, Mrs. Blessing Mbah, Rev Kenneth Nkadi, the Registrar of the university,
Prof. Kenneth from Library and Archival Science, University of Ibadana. Others are Most Rev Dr Ayo-Maria Ayoyebi,
Emeritus Catholic Bishop of Ilorin), Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ajewole who represented
Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan),
Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi (Fmr. President of the United Nations Human
Rights Council, Ambassador Ayo Olukanni, the Director General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of
Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA) Barr. Mutiu Agboke,
Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC among other lecturers and students of the university.
