Gov. Abiodun pledges to sustain Ogun heritage as cradle of education
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has disclosed that his administration would continue to work towards sustaining the State’s enviable pride as the cradle of education and civilisation in Nigeria, as well as providing enabling environment for public and private tertiary institutions to thrive.
Governor Abiodun disclosed this at the 4th Convocation ceremony of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, noting that the State was not just the industrial hub of Nigeria, but the intellectual capital, hosting the highest number of tertiary institutions.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Technical and Vocational Education, Prof. Joseph Odemuyiwa, the Governor assured that the State would not leave any stone unturned towards promoting quality education and industrialisation.
He said, “We want to assure you of our unwavering support for you to thrive. We are also focused on technologically-based, total and dual education for the citizenry, which would better position them to be self-sustaining, employers of labour and prepare them for the challenges ahead.”
Abiodun congratulated the graduands and the school management on the feat, charging them to continue to complement government’s effort in the sector.
Speaking, an accomplished administrator and the Guest Lecturer, Dr. (Mrs.) Ajoritsedere Awosika, who spoke on the Visible and Invisible Hands of Development: Interrogating the Roles of Tertiary Institutions and The Financial Sector, stated that stakeholders should focus on education to enhance productivity, scale development and reduce poverty, urging the graduands to expand their horizon and contribute meaningfully to the society through innovation and foresight.
Earlier in her address, the Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Prof. (Mrs.) Chinedum Babalola, appreciated the government and people of the State for according the institution an enabling environment to operate, charging the 52 graduands to be good ambassadors of the school.
Highlights of the occasion was the conferment of award of honorary Doctor of Science Degrees in Political Science and Administration and Doctor of Science in Business Administration (D.Sc., Honoris Causa) to the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Aremu Gbadebo and (Dr.) Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, respectively and the unveiling of the institution’s Law Faculty.
Dignitaries who graced the occasion included, Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, Wife of Former President, Chief (Mrs.) Bola Obasanjo, the Hon. Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, represented by the Acting Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, (FUNAAB), Prof. Olusola Kehinde, Heads of Tertiary Institutions, among others.
