The Founder and President Emeritus of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has elucidated on the reasons why the university is running the B.Sc. degree and Certificate Programmes in Social Justice.
Speaking lat Monday at the opening ceremony of the university’s maiden Certificate Programme on Social Justice sponsored by the Nigeria Police, Babalola said the world over, universities have a sacred duty to provide quality education and contribute to their host communities, immediate geographical locality and even the whole country as a whole.
His words: “The world over, governments depend on universities and other specialized research institutions for economic, political and legal advice and crucial research data in the process of formulation of policies which will affect the citizenry. Regrettably, Nigeria universities have scored low in this area”.
He added: “This explains why we conceived of the degree programme in Social Justice of which this Certificate program is just an off-shoot. The program is designed to promote efficiency among members of the nation’s security apparatus including the Nigeria Police, the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), embassies, the government and its agencies. It is designed to promote efficiency and acceptability of the police by the public”.
The legal icon however lamented the fad whereby many Nigerians who work in the public service believe that there is no need to put in their utmost best in the discharge of their duties even when they are guaranteed steady incomes, allowances and benefits such as healthcare irrespective of any decline in governmental income.
The octogenarian traced this untoward attitude back to the colonial era when Nigerians who occupied few positions in the administration of the country felt no need to help enrich a foreign empire which had colonized their country for decades adding that “this is simply an excuse for what really is a costly attitudinal inclination to mediocrity in service and a national shame. This is why I turned down Ministerial appointment several times. Decades after attainment of independence, it is disheartening to note that Nigerians still regard government work as belonging to no one and therefore deserving of little or no dedication towards its upliftment”.
According to him, the innovative curriculum will equip both graduates and the certificate holders with multi-disciplinary and multi-skilled knowledge suitable for employment locally and internationally particularly as it combines carefully selected courses in Law, Social Sciences and Information Technology as well as international languages and culture.
Digging into the benefits of the programme, Babalola said it is highly relevant for students and workers who would want to work or are currently working in different areas of life including paralegal services, Police, intelligence and security outfits, Customs, Immigration, International and local Non-Governmental Organizations, Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs and other ministries.
The highly intensive, rigorous, practical and very interesting programme is also very relevant to politicians, culture and tourism experts, international diplomacy consultants, national and multi-national corporations among others.
Other carrots inherent in the programme are opportunities for international exchange programmes, local and international internships and externships, work-study programmes and other field experiences for the undergraduates. It also provides an excellent foundation for students who could not gain admission to study law as first degree to now pursue it at Masters Level or as a second degree.