Yar’Adua laments state of varsity education
President Umaru Yar’Adua on Saturday expressed concern over the state of the nation’s university education. He said the universities had not been able to produce the kind of graduates needed for the country’s industrial growth.
He also challenged universities to come up with solutions that would lift the country out of the present economic doldrums.
Yar’Adua, who was represented by the Minister of Education, Dr Sam Egwu, said this at the 14th convocation of the University of Abuja.
He said though some achievements were recorded in the sector in the past, the current state of university education called for serious concern.
He said, “I must say that the general state of our universities has been a great cause for concern.”
The President said graduates which were not equipped to compete in knowledge and technology with the best from other parts of the world could not help the country in any way.
He said, “This is the challenge which we must overcome if we are to realise our lofty vision for the country.”
On the global financial crisis, Yar’Adua asked the universities to respond to the challenges posed by the global finacial meltdown, which he said, had negatively affected the fortunes of the country.
He said the government had committed adequate funds in the 2009 budget to get the universities to function optimally and assist government in profferring solutions to the nation’s economic and industrial problems.
A total of 3,694 students were awarded degrees in various fields, out of which 3, 287 were degrees, 339 masters degrees, 35 post-graduate diplomas and 33 doctoral degrees.
One person got a first class, 208 obtained second class upper division, 1,879 bagged second class lower division, 1,076 third class, and 123 persons got pass degrees.
Several prominent Nigerians, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar, and two former Chief Justices of Nigeria, Justices Mohammadu Uwais and Salihu Alfa Belgore, were awarded honorary degrees.
Others were the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Senator Joy Emordi, and her counterpart in the House of Representatives, Mr. Farouk Lawan; former Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Adamu Bello; and a United States-based Professor of Religious Studies, Jacob Olupona.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Government is set to issue conditions for the establishment and operations of private institutions in the state.
The state Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, said this while inaugurating some projects at the Light House Polytechnic, owned by the New Covenant Gospel Church in Benin on Saturday.
He said that the government would take necessary steps to ensure the establishment and sustenance of high academic standard
