By Odunayo Agboluaje, Ibadan
A former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission {NUC}, Prof. Julius Okojie, has decried the domination of nation’s university Councils by politicians, saying politics, religion and ethnicity are destroying Nigeria’s universities.
Okojie, a former Vice Chancellor, stated this during the third convocation of KolaDaisi University {KDU}, Ibadan which took place at Agbeke Memorial Hall of the university. He spoke on the theme: ‘The Nigerian Education System at a Crossroads’.
While lamenting that the universities were not productive, Okojie said they should be challenged with national problems on environment, climate change, economic development, relevant research that would result in patients and inventions.
The professor said: “The Councils of universities should not be dominated by political stalwarts who are professional politicians. They should be respectable and knowledgeable in the major programmes focus of the university.
‘’The role played by politics, religion and ethnicity are destroying our universities. Our universities are not productive. They should be challenged with national problems on environment, climate change, economic development, relevant research that would result in patients and inventions and so on, and be positively involved in national discussion. The Research Institutes should be encouraged to work with the universities in the innovation and development endeavours of the nation’’.
The institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adeniyi Olatunbosun, charged the graduating students to go and make differences, saying: ‘’My dear graduands, again, I congratulate you as you have attained a great feat in your life’s journey. I am optimistic that with the knowledge imbued in you while studying here, you are poised to be game-changers. I charge you to go out there and join in transforming Nigeria into global reckoning”.
The VC disclosed that 123 students are graduating, 12 of the graduates have first-class, 50 have second-class upper division, 39 with second-class lower division and 22 with third-class degrees.
The Chancellor of the university, Chief Kola Daisi said the institution would continue to up its games in order to move to the enviable height. ‘’Our country, indeed the world today, is in desperate need of individuals whose innovation and creativity can help resolve the humongous challenges confronting us’’, he said.
A former minister and the Pro-chancellor and Governing Council Chairman of KDU, Remi Babalola,urged them never to stop dreaming about the audacious future they strive to achieve, while Prof. Adeniyi Osuntogun, who is the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the institution, lauded the parents and graduands for the feat.