Varsities should produce problem solvers — Akeredolu

• No Nation Thrives When Youths Are Jobless — Olanipekun
• As Ajayi Crowther University Graduates 2,851

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), yesterday, said higher institutions should produce problem solvers, not just certificate holders to be relevant in society.

Akeredolu said repetition of inapplicable theories, which were taught in institutions of higher learning would only produce highly- certificated citizens, who lack the capacity to solve basic problems.

Akeredolu made this call, yesterday while speaking at the 12th and 13th combined convocation ceremonies of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo State, where he was conferred with honorary degree, alongside Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Revd. Henry Ndukuba, and Retired Archbishop of Lagos Province Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Revd Ephraim Ademowo.

Also, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Chief  Wole Olanipekun, warned that “no nation can be at peace when its youthful population is unemployed.”

The faith-based university conferred undergraduate, post-graduate and diploma degrees on 2,851 students, including 85, who bagged first-class honours in the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 academic sessions.

He urged the government to address the worrisome situation before these youths transfer aggression against not just the system, but also the citizens.

He advised the graduating students to “use their brains and wits to turn themselves into great and large employers of labour, through well nurtured and painstakingly contrived enterprises,” adding that the world is no longer over-concentrating on white-collar jobs. 

While Akeredolu was conferred with an award of Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa), Revd Ndukuba was conferred with Doctors of Divinity (Honoris Causa) and Revd Ademowo got Doctors of Letters. He was accompanied by his wife, Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu. 

Other dignitaries on the governor’s entourage included Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Tayo Alasoadura; Oba Fredrick Akinruntan Obateru, the Olugbo of Ugbo land; Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Ade Adetimehin; members of the House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun; members of the state executive council, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu; Justice Alero Akeredolu of the State High Court; Executive Chairmen of local councils led by the Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Oloruntogbe Augustine; and commissioner- designates and recently appointed Special Advisers. Other dignitaries were: Chief Olusola Oke,SAN; Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde; Rear Admiral Samuel Ilesanmi Alade (rtd), Prince Ademola Adegoroye; and others.