Abiodun charges Nigerian graduates not to be ‘mere job seekers’

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, yesterday, urged Nigerian graduates to use the knowledge gained in their fields of study to proffer practical solutions to the numerous challenges confronting the nation, saying as people who had received both academic and moral training, it was expected of them to think of things that would benefit not them alone, but also society at large, rather than go about seeking jobs.

Speaking at the commissioning of the largest Information and Communications Technology (ICT) centre in any Nigerian university at the state-owned Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago Iwoye, Abiodun said: “One thing is sure, all of you are leaving the university with your certificates to go to the university of life, where there is no paper certificate. Your certificates are what you can do for yourself and what you contribute to the development of humanity.

“The university had inculcated in you, necessary employable skills, expertise and technical competence needed to fit in and compete well in the outside world. Your education is to set you on the right path and make you a better global citizen.”

The Pro-Chancellor, Mrs. Mosun Belo-Olusoga, said the university had gone through massive infrastructural development in all of its campuses and advised the graduating students to be positive, proactive, focused and live their lives with passion.She charged them not be discouraged as they step into a new world.

Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde, noted that discussions was currently ongoing with various corporate organisations on the need to construct 100 units of housing for staff, which he said would boost the residential status of the institution, adding that the university under his charge had ensured prompt and regular payment of salaries.He commended the governor for approving the rehabilitation of the institution’s internal roads, particularly the road leading to the Professorial Chairs’ Complex and the staff quarters.He charged the graduating students to be worthy ambassadors of the institution.

In his convocation lecture, with the theme, ‘The integrity Challenge in Nigerian Higher Education: Towards Creating a New Normal,’ the Provost, Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria, Prof. Olusola Akinrinade, said corruption in any form is destructive to good governance and the overall welfare of the society.

Akinrinade list some of the best ways to tackle corruption in the higher institution to include implementing anti-corruption initiatives and structural reforms necessary to reduce the opportunity for corruption within the system; taking steps towards enhancing prevention mechanisms by entrenching good governance and transparency in their academic and administrative processes; and implementation of sanctions and enforcing the rule against infractions.

Responding on behalf of the awardees, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, noted that the task of service to the country is a collective one and a responsibility that everyone carries.She said as a product and an alumnus of the institution, she is glad to be associated with its relentless effort in producing some of the best brains that have made significant social, economic and political development of the country.

The minister, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle and Maj-Gen. Sansadeen Awosanya were awarded Honorary Doctorate degrees.Ajayi Jesulayomi Opeyemi from the Department of Engineering and Chinozor Justice from the Department of Basic and Medical Sciences, who graduated as the best students for the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 sessions, respectively, got automatic employment into the state civil service,