Higher education critical to national development, says Osinbajo

Owing to their critical roles in national development, Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, says universities must be adequately equipped and made comfortable for robust teaching and learning to take place as the future of every nation depends largely on the thinking and great ideas of those in the university system.

Speaking during the homecoming and award ceremony organised by University of Lagos (UNILAG), in his honour and five states governors who are ex-students of the institution, Osinbajo maintained universities must continually remain places of great inspirations, “and whatever it takes that we can contribute to making that the case, we must do.”

And so, universities he said, should be made comfortable for the best minds in the society to enable the nation derive the benefits of such institutions.

He, therefore, assured that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration would do whatever it takes to ensure that those working in the system were greatly inspired.

He also disclosed that his profession as a university teacher has really shaped and influenced every step of his life, just as he described the reception as a great pride for him.

“UNILAG has in so many ways defined my life. I decided to teach here in November 1981, and from that time up till 2013, when I officially left the system, the university has influenced my life every step of the way. And I dare say that even till date, the first thing that is known about me is that I am a university teacher,” Osinbajo stated.

He continued, “In the years when I was here as a lecturer, especially in the early 80s. Those were the years when there was great inspiration and ideas. Of course, it was the years of the dialectical tension between the materialist and idealist schools. I recall the great thinking and great debates that went on then, especially in political and economic philosophy. You had to be defined one way or the other in those days. You couldn’t just be neutral; you had to be on one side or the other of the argument.

“So, I strongly believe that universities must remain a place of inspiration so that the best minds amongst us would not have to look outside, but continually share those great ideas that would benefit the society.”

Earlier, vice chancellor of the institution, Prof. Rahamon Adisa Bello, stated that the reception, apart from celebrating the achievements of the distinguished alumni, was also to appreciate their contributions in the country’s political evolution as well as the development of their individual states.

Governors, that were also honoured alongside Osinbajo are, include Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state; his Anambra state counterpart, Mr. Willie Obiano; Akwa Ibom state governor, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel; Dr. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State; and Abia state deputy governor, Sir. Ude Oko Chukwu.