Making this call at the 37th convocation ceremony of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), where he bagged a honorary Doctor of Science degree (DSc, honoris causa), in his acceptance speech, last Saturday, Dr. Ndukwe said that funding of educational institutions have been embarrassingly low.
He pointed out that many of the nation’s public schools are currently run down as a result of decaying or non-existing physical structures and infrastructure.
As said by him, educational institutions, especially the ivory towers have invaluable role to play in the moulding and remoulding of future leaders for the greater Nigerian nation of tomorrow.
He emphasised on the need to focus and increase the tempo in producing and equipping future leaders, who are students today, with the right and exemplary attitude to leadership.
He further charged those in leadership positions to shun actions capable of encouraging personal aggrandizement or corrupt enrichment.
“I wish to advocate that our actions as leaders be guided solely by the passion for excellence in the service to humanity,” he advised.
Dr. Ndukwe therefore called for urgent actions to restore the glory in the nation’s education system, which he suggested could be achieved byway of people of like minds and leaders coming together to seek ways of synergising thoughts and actions towards fulfilling the potentials of this country.
“There is urgent need for restoration and I will seize this opportunity to call on state and local government administrations to devote more resources towards the improvement of educational institutions in the country,” he declared.
He underlined the importance of achieving this at the primary and post-primary levels where the need is very urgent and compelling.
Assuring that he would continue to cherish the award of the esteemed Doctor of Science to him and two others, namely Dr. Tony Elumelu, the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and chairman, Education Trust Fund (ETF), Dr. (Mrs) Olatoyin Olokunri.
He dedicated the award to God and his family as well as staff of NCC for their supports.
In his address, the chancellor of the university and Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji (Dr) Shehu Idris, said that the convocation of over 2000 men and women for the citadel of learning is a mandate realised.
He described the ceremony as an accomplishment of honest labour, a well-focused leadership and bold vision.
“I feel personally gratified that despite serious handicaps of finance and infrastructure, the university is still fulfilling the role envisioned for her by her founders,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said the school is starting a new project ‘Take-A-Name’ to encourage corporate organisations and individuals to take a project in the school in the coming months and when concluded, it would be named after such entity.
Stressing that there is no other way of immortalising one’s name or the name of somebody who one values and admires.
1 comment:
Ya its really sad that schools, colleges and universities are suffering due to low funds..
Everyone must contribute in that so that every single person get there part of education and able to make their living possible..
Thanks
Rone from learn english london
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