The Founder, Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) has said the need for the university to influence its host community, the society and the country is why ABUAD initiated Social Justice programme.
He said though many universities in Nigeria have failed in this regard, the four-year-old varsity with her rising profile, is ready to rise to the occasion.
Said Babalola: “You may ask why Social Justice? Universities have a sacred duty to provide quality education but that is not all. It also has a duty to contribute to bring change to their host communities, immediate geographical locality and even the country as a whole. The world over, governments depend on universities and other specialised 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.”
Addressing a police team, who attended the Social Justice certificate programme on Tuesday, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria said the programme hopes to improve the efficiency among members of the nation’s security apparatus, including the Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), embassies, the government and its agencies.
According to the legal luminary, the programme has two main components – BSc. ( Social Justice), a four-year course and a certificate programme, targeted at working class groups both in the public and private sectors.
Babalola said in line with global best practices, the university has also designed modern and highly relevant curriculum on Social Justice, with qualified resources personnel to man it.
He said there is a need for programme in universities because universities have a duty to contribute to bring change to their host communities, immediate geographical locality and even the country as a whole.
“World over, governments depend on universities and other specialised 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. This is the reason we conceived programme.” he said.
Condemning Nigerians’ attitude towards work, he said many who work in the public service believe that there is no need to put in their best in the discharge of their duties as they are guaranteed a steady income, allowances and benefits, adding that others simply go to work to mark time and return home without contributing anything to the advancement of the country.
Speaking on how the programme started, Babalola said in 2011, the university assembled a team of distinguished international and local experts to develop a multi-disciplinary curriculum that can effectively solve the prevailing local and global economic, social, political and other challenges facing the world today.
He added that the outcome, which is the Curriculum on Social, received 100 per cent approval from the Federal Government through the Nationa Universities Commission (NUC).
“This innovative curriculum will equip both graduates and the certificate holders with multi-disciplinary and multi-skilled knowledge suitable for employment locally and internationally. It combines carefully selected courses in law, social sciences, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and international languages and culture. The degree and the certificate are 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 Organisations (NGOs), ministries of justice, foreign affairs, among others.
“It is also very relevant to politicians, culture and tourism experts, international diplomacy consultants, national and multi-national corporations, etc. The course is highly intensive, rigorous, practical and very interesting. It creates 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 pursue it at masters level or as a second degree.
The police team was led by the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade, and the Inspector-General of Police.