Education key to national development, says NUC ex-boss, Okebukola

Former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Chairman of Council, Crawford University, Prof. Peter Okebukola, has underscored the importance of giving prominence to education in the country as well as gainfully engaging youths in skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.

Okebukola, who was guest speaker at the installation of the 42nd and first female District Governor, District 9110, Rotarian Omotunde Lawson, decried the level of occultism in secondary schools.

He, therefore, urged the new District Governor to tackle the menace in Lagos and Ogun states that fall under her jurisdiction.

Besides, he advocated stopping of children being engaged in hawking and charged Lawson to collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to wage war against drug abuse.

The former NUC scribe, who lauded the role of Rotary Club worldwide, described the club as a catalyst in the area of security and peace.

Meanwhile, Lawson, in her acceptance speech, said: “Rotary has spent not less than N2.1 billion to fight and end polio. The focus in my service year will be on vocational empowerment of 300 girls, tackling cervical cancer for 2,000 girls with vaccination of girls between the age of 10 and 14 years, peace advocacy in secondary schools, fighting abuse of drugs and cultism, as well as waging war against cultism, among others.”