Buhari urges varsities to develop facilities, boost service delivery

President asks youths to avoid corruption during job search
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has commended the status of all public universities in Nigeria, federal and state, saying they are better off now following the recent financial allocation to them in line with their Needs Assessment but added that as work is on to sustain this, it is believed that these institutions will be able to develop their infrastructural facilities as well as improve on their academic service delivery.

The President stated this at the weekend during the 7th convocation ceremony of Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUA) Abia State, which featured the installation of the new Chancellor Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III (the Emir of Gombe).

The event featured the conferment of honorary doctorate degree on the President and honorary Doctor of Science degree on former Enugu State governor and ex-National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo.

President Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Anwuka again lauded the authorities of the institution for their notable achievements.

He stated that the ongoing infrastructural development in the university are quite commendable and could not have been achieved without prudent management of resources.

While advising the youths, he stated that, “it is no longer viable for Nigeria to depend on crude oil and gas exports as the country’s revenue earners. For our nation to become one of the world’s largest 20 fastest growing economies by the year 2020, emphasis must be placed on the agricultural sector.”

The institution’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Hilary Edeoga in his address commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) whose interventions he affirmed, enabled the university to tackle some of her infrastructure needs and capacity building of staff.

Also at a similar event, President Buhari urged unemployed Nigerian graduates to join his anti-graft crusade by shunning corruption in whatever form while seeking for a job or striving to make a living.

Buhari gave the charge at the weekend while speaking during the conferment of honorary doctoral degrees on four prominent Nigerians as part of activities marking the 41st convocation ceremony of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Buhari, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okogie, said the level of unemployment is high in the country, assuring the unemployed that the issue is receiving attention by his administration.

He reminded the graduating students of their responsibilities to the society saying, “As representatives of your alma mater, OAU, you have a lot to contribute to making this country a place worth living and reducing the brain drain that has plagued us for many years in the past.”