By Adesina Wahab, Lagos

For our society to benefit optimally from education, those setting up educational institutions should do so with the belief that education should be for the growth of the society and not for personal gains.

This was said by Mr Akin Akingbesote, the promoter of New City University, Ayetoro, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway during the first visitation and inspection visit to the proposed campus of the university by officials of the National Universities Commission, NUC.

He opined that promoters of educational institutions, as well as the beneficiaries should have at the back of their minds how to use education to grow the society.

He added that the proposed university would be all out to contribute positively to the growth of the society by producing graduates that are purpose fit.

“But beyond the bricks and mortar, beyond the curriculum and the facilities, it is our ethos and values that truly set us apart. Our university is founded on the principles of integrity, inclusivity, and social responsibility. We believe in the power of education to transform lives and build a better future for all. Our commitment to diversity and equity is unwavering and we are dedicated to creating a campus culture that celebrates differences and values in every individual.

“As we look forward to opening our doors to students and prepare in earnest for our inaugural academic year after your highly anticipated approval, the feeling of excitement is pervading. We are confident in our ability to deliver world-class education that will empower our students to become leaders and change makers in their chosen fields. We are ready to embark on this journey, and we are grateful for your guidance and support along the way,” he said. 

On what motivated him to start the university, he said he was motivated by the love of his parents for education despite their humble background.

” At this point, it is pertinent to let you know the motivating factors that led to today’s event. First, the love of my parents for education, especially my father of blessed memory, Chief Samuel Akingbesote, a great farmer, hunter and trader, who described education as a weapon of liberation from poverty, diseases and ignorance, ” he stated.

The Chairman of the Planning and Implementation Committee, Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, said the objective of the university is to be relevant and be pivotal to making education an instrument for growth.

” We want to be relevant and promote academic activities that would be relevant and follow NUC’s guidelines. We also want to promote excellent academic pedagogy in all ways. We also serve as loco parentis for our students and adhere to standards, ” he said.

The renowned Mass Communication expert expressed confidence that the university would carve a niche for itself in all the programmes it would run. The university is proposing to run courses in four faculties to start with.

The leader of the NUC team, Barrister S Adejoh, said the commission has been performing its statutory function of regulating the university sector since 1974.

He said the future of education lies in private sector participation and thanked the sector for helping to improve access to education in Nigeria.

The team later went round the campus to assess facilities on ground.