Unijos foundation students meet, seek growth of sector

It was pomp and pageantry in Lagos recently when the 1979-1983 alumni of University of Jos (UNIJOS) held their reunion celebration.With the theme, “Unijos made me”, the old students relieve campus memories, insisting that the knowledge and values acquired while in school have helped them greatly in their endeavours.Head, English Language Department, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Hope Eghagha, who is also the chairman organising secretary of the Reunion celebration, said the event was to relieve their experiences and to celebrate the institution for its role in shaping their lives.

Speaking on how to address challenges in the educational sector, Prof Eghagha stated that we have a fundamental problem in our educational system and it starts from the primary school to the university. The first question is why are we educating our youths?  What is the purpose of education we are giving to the youths, is it to prepare them as civil servants or people who can think and make headway in life? If we can think and answer those questions, we will be able to answer why the quality has dropped.

“ Nowadays, everybody wants to go to the university because they see it as a meal ticket. Gradually, we have seen that this is no longer possible. We have seen that we have to go to the basics in education. Not everybody has to go to the university. You can go to a technical school, then proceed to a polytechnic and you can rise to the top of your career.

Advising the youths, he said they must be focused, hardworking and committed. They should know that success does not come overnight. It comes with patience, persistence and hardwork. If you are in the university, study hard and read beyond the classroom. He added that remuneration for teachers, designing new curriculum, and showing respect for teachers are issues that must also be addressed.

“We recognise the role Unijos played in our lives. We then agreed to meet, give thanks that we are alive and think on what we can do for our alma mater. Unijos inculcated in us the spirit of discipline, brotherhood and friendship, irrespective of our ethnic and religious background.Chairman of the reunion ceremony, Prof Chiweyite Ejike enjoined members to follow the five pillars that would help them in life. He identified them as humility, open mindedness, rationality, objectivity, and solidarity.

“Be shining example of Unijos, keep the flag flying. The legacy you live behind is more than silver and gold.He added that the university is the soul of any nation. Any nation that abandons the integrity of the university is bound to fail.On his part, the representative of the vice chancellor, Prof Chiedo Akueshi urged the old students to assist in fencing the school to forestall continued infiltration of the campus by hoodlums.