Education imperative for growth, VC tells youths

Vice Chancellor, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, has called on youths to pay attention to education, describing it as imperative for growth.

He also urged government to celebrate Nigerians doing exceptionally well in their chosen careers.

The vice chancellor made the call while conferring the university’s Brand Ambassador on one of its alumni, who is a television host, content creator and media influencer, Oluwabukunmi Oyebisi Adeaga Ilori.

He said Nigerians doing exploits in their fields are heroes and heroines, adding that any nation that does not celebrate its heroes needs to be examined.

Ilori graduated from the Department of Mass Communication of the institution in 2010.

The vice chancellor said Ilori had exhibited the core values of the university, which are godliness, excellence, entrepreneurship, innovation and social responsibility, hence she was chosen as the university’s brand ambassador.

The VC said: “Education is very important. Don’t let anyone deceive you, education opens your mind. When you are in school, it is not only what is taught in the school, there are other extra-curricular activities. Character and discipline are also very crucial.

“Bowen University is passing through a repositioning and re-branding process and when we see our brand exhibiting our core values, he or she will be celebrated.

“It takes a champion to acknowledge and celebrate another champion. We are becoming a champion in what we do. Definitely, we need to celebrate individuals, students and alumni who are doing well and representing us well outside. That is what we are doing. This is a young lady who has a lot of followership. And when you see such, it is only appropriate to celebrate her. We have this brand ambassador thing and people who fit into our core values can also be our ambassador.

That is one of the reasons we are celebrating her as a Bowen University Brand Ambassador. Despite what God has done in her life, she displays unique humility and character.

“The point is that any nation, which doesn’t celebrate her heroes, needs to be self-examined. Our leaders need to do a rethink.”

Director, Directorate of Parents and Corporate Affairs, Mrs Foluke Ayuba, said Ilori represents everything that the university stands for.

Responding, Ilori said: ‘’I feel honoured and excited. It is amazing. I didn’t expect it to be like this.”