Former vice chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, has urged the Federal Government to take steps to differentiate education from politics and ensure access to quality education at all levels.
Ibidapo-Obe noted that the action should be taken as part of the strategies for national advancement.
The don stated this while delivering the 15th matriculation lecture of Covenant University, a private institution owned by the Living Faith church, in Otta, Ogun State.
In the lecture entitled, “Attaining Global Relevance and National Socio-Economic Advancement Through Quality Education,” the don said Education was not a ‘shareable’ asset and had no state of origin, federal character, differential treatment of state and non-state indigenes, which were inimical to intellectual growth.
According to him, ‘‘Upon the subject of education, I can only say that I knew it as the most important subject, which we, as a people, may be engaged in’’ – Abraham Lincoln. Goal four of the Sustainable Development Goals states that Quality Education must ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Forty two per cent of African school children will drop out of school.
“Other suggestions on how to achieve quality education include establishing inspectorate units at all levels to ensure quality and spread a carrot-and-stick approach ,firmness and fairness/discipline.
“Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education. Ensure all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.”
He also said governments should substantially increase the number of youths and adults with relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
In his address, Chancellor of the University, Bishop David Oyedepo, said Covenant University was born out of a great decision for change. Oyedepo said Nigerians did not just need education but the right kind of education to graduate the right kind of people that the nation needed for the right kind of development.
“Our vision is to raise a new generation of leaders that will redeem Africa’s battered image. Every big problem is solved by starting from unknown to the known. Leadership is not about talking, it is about taking responsibility, setting the pace and blazing the trail. Until Africans are ready to help themselves, the world will watch us become extinct.
It is time for us to start asking ourselves what we can do for our continent. We have bemoaned our situation long enough; it is time to take the bull by the horn and start to rebuild”, he said.
