The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, has commended UNESCO for choosing Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) as the venue for its 2014 Annual Retreat of the world body.
This according to the Royal Father, this is an affirmation of UNESCO’s appreciation of of the efforts of the four and half years old university and its Founder, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, at institutionalizing quality, functional education in Nigeria, thereby changing the face of education in the country.
According to Oba Adejugbe who received the ABUAD team and members of the UNESCO Regional Office, Abuja, who were in ABUAD for a week-long retreat in his palace over the weekend, if other universities in Nigeria can borrow a leaf from the concept of quality, functional and reformatory education on offer at ABUAD where in addition to their academic pursuits, students are being taken through Leadership and Entrepreneurial training like farming, printing, bakery, dress making and dancing as well as the compulsory study of either French or Chinese among many others, Nigeria will be a better place for all to live.
He called on other well-meaning Nigerians to plough their resources into the establishment of quality universities like ABUAD to secure the future of this generation of Nigerians and those coming behind.
Said he: “It is only a man of uncommon courage and patriotism like Aare Afe Babalola that would shun the mouth-watering offers of a large expanse of land, free water supply and free electricity as well as free road network by then Oyo State Government to come and site this university here in Ado-Ekiti.
“Apart from the quality of education on offer, today many of ABUAD products like an array of Moringa products, fresh and dried fish, honey and vegetables as well as ABUAD bread are on sale on a daily basis in Ado-Ekiti and its environs. This is a complete departure from seasoned and synthetic foods many have been used to for ages”.
He pointed out that unlike what obtains in other universities in Nigeria, no matter the course of study by ABUAD students, they are made to learn how to use their hands and heads to do some other things so that they don’t join the bandwagon of those who will be brandishing their certificates after graduation looking for jobs that are in short supply.
“That, to me, is what I call functional education”. I am indeed very happy having are Afe Babalola as my son and particularly for your citing the university here and by God’s grace, you will not regret citing the university in Ado-Ekiti. You have not seen anything yet; better and greater days are ahead”.
Commenting on the Boko Haram insurgency currently ravaging some Northern parts of the country and other forms of criminal inclinations like armed robbery and kidnapping, Oba
The Ewi said all these may be a child’s play unless Nigeria pays serious attention to functional education that see graduates being able to do some things on their own after graduation instead of looking for jobs that are not available.
His words: “Just look at our country today, look at the untold hardship Boko Haram has brought to this country. It is simply as a result of the type of education we give whereby we concentrate efforts only on academic qualification without thinking of what our graduates can do with their heads and hands.
“This can breed nothing but unemployment and increased waves of crimes in the society. If we are not careful, the problem of Boko Haram of today may be a child’s play if we don’t take an immediate action as a society. I only pray that it does not get to a situation when miscreants will flag people down on the road and ask them where they got the money to buy flashy cars and live ostentatious life styles when there are some people who have nothing to eat
“We should be careful that we are not all consumed. So the time to act t is now”.
Responding on behalf of the University, its Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Michael Ajisafe, thanked the Royal Father for convincing Babalola to cite the university in Ekiti State, pointing out that that singular act has placed Ekiti State on the world map as a result of which a world body like UNESCO could contemplate having a retreat on the serene campus of the four-and half years old university.
(Ends)
Signed
Tunde Olofintila
Head, Public Relations.