 |
The city of Ibadan was agog on Saturday, 11th September 2021 as various alumni of the University of Ibadan were recognized with various awards and honours by the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), Oyo State branch at the weekend for their various contributions in their fields of human endeavours.
There was a general consensus by
the recipients of the various awards that it is very important for the various
stakeholders in the educational sector to seek better ways of collaborating
with government and policy makers in improving the quality and standard of the
educational sector in the country.
In his remarks while addressing
journalists shortly after receiving the award of Royal Ambassador, The
Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Lagos state, Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali said
although he would always advocate that government increase funding to education
among other critical sectors, parents, guardians and corporate organisations
also have roles to play if the educational sector must be better.
The traditional ruler harped on
the significance of education in securing the future of the country, noting
that he would by the recognition be motivated to do more of the good works that
qualified him for the honour.
Oba Kasali said, “I support the call for government to increase funding for education and there is an internationally acceptable standard and we would urge government to do more in that regards. I will continue to be an ambassador of the call that a large chunk of our budget should be allocated to education so that we can have an improved educational standards in the country.
“But, we know that government cannot do it alone, for instance, in my own little capacity in my domain, I have utilized every opportunity to mobilise resources for an improved education through construction of classrooms, award of scholarships to indigent students and we will continue to organise lectures to educate our wards on the dangers of joining bad companies and dangers of gangsterism in all ways.”
Also speaking, the Director of
Program Operations, Children Community Services, New York, United States of
America, Mr. Rafiu Afolabi Laguda said parents need to train up their children
to be independent especially in their actions and decisions lamenting that many
students fell to the trap of joining cultism as a result of peer pressure.
Laguda, a youth mentor and coach who was honoured with the Worthy Ambassador Award said getting the best of the country’s educational sector requires a collaborative effort from the government, parents, corporate organisations, and every other relevant stakeholders.
He said “Government is trying,
parents need to support. When you talk about institutions abroad, it is not
only government that is funding it. It is a collaborative effort.
“But in Nigeria, we tend to leave
a bulk on the table of the government and we think that government is the
superman to do everything and address all the problems. Parents, corporate
institutions, government, all of us have roles to play in the educational
development of our country. On cultism and hooliganism, these are social vices
driven by peer pressure. We all had the option and choice to join cult but we
did not when we were in school.”
“I know many youths who are well trained from home but who missed it when they got into campus. Parents must train up their children to be independent and learn to take independent decisions. Let them be accountable for whatever decision they take so that they know the task and responsibility ahead, let them know that they are always responsible for their actions and decisions.”
In her remarks, the Permanent
Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs, Community Development, Social
and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Christianah Abioye, described the honour as a rude
shock as she was not aware that her efforts in the fields of social work is
being monitored.
She assured that the Worthy
Ambassador Award conferred on her will help her expand the scope of her work
and facilitate opportunity for more youths, less privilege and vulnerable to be
impacted through a synergy with the UIAA and members of the community.
Abioye noted that government
cannot handle all the issues facing the society alone but that some people have
left everything in the hands of the government, adding “but it is not so. We
need to come out as parents, elderly ones, brothers and sisters, teachers,
neighbours, colleagues, we need to do it together. We need to change the
society.
“We need to let the children who
are not finding it easy know that it is a matter of patience and time while
also encouraging them to concentrate on their studies and or vocation and let
them know that they will through that part achieve lot more for themselves and
the society at large.”
Other awardees at the event
include the Sabiganna of Iganna, Oyo State, Oba Salau Azeez (Royal Ambassador
Award), Dotun Sanusi (Outstanding Alumnus Award 2021) and Dr Fola Akinosun
(Commendable Philanthropist Award) amongst others.
Post a Comment