The American Consul-General in Nigeria, Mr. Jeffrey Hawkings has called on students of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) to take the advantage of the opportunities in the United States, US, to further their academic studies.
Hawkings described ABUAD and some other institutions of higher learning in the country as “strategic partners” with America in the bid to promote education.
The envoy, who spoke at ABUAD during a visit to the institution for an enlightenment programme on how to pursue graduate studies in America and its numerous benefits, said: “We have a number of things we would do with the university (ABUAD) both at the level of individual students and the institution.”
Hawkings said: “Education is extremely important issue for Nigeria and my country. The United States of America is very committed to promoting education ties between the country and Nigeria. “ABUAD and so many others like it in Nigeria are very important part of that engagement. We’ve seen a great deal of enthusiasm and energy in ABUAD.
We’ve seen that elsewhere also. We have a number of programmes that we’ve used to promote those ties.
There’s about 7,000 Nigerians studying in the United States as part of the contribution they are making to our country and to yours and we are looking forward to more of such engagements with this institution and so many others.” Speaking further, he said: “To partner ABUAD, we already have Fulbright Scholarship with the university.
The founder, Aare Afe Babalola, and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sidi Osho, have told us of very many engagements they had with American educational institutions and the US as a country is proud on the efforts.”
In his remark, Aare Babalola, described the American team’s visit to ABUAD as “an acknowledgement that the university is doing well,” saying “we are happy with that.” Babalola, who said the positive developments being attracted to the university were indications of the realisation of his visions for the institution, assured that ABUAD would continue in the bid to totally change the face of education in the country.