…as Abiodun tasks TASUED on mechanized farming

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State, Prof. Rahamon Bello, has called for the upward review of subvention to all state-owned higher institutions, to enable them take care of the new salary structure, arising from the new minimum wage recently approved for workers in the state.

Prof. Bello, who made the call in his address at the 16th convocation ceremony of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, noted that inadequate funding is one of the greatest challenges of the public university system in Nigeria.

While commending the state government for the regular release of subvention to the University, Prof. Bello said due to the current economic realities in the country, the subvention allocated the tertiary institutions is no longer optimal for the University’s needs.

He added that, “it is necessary for the institution to have the resources it need for its operation. The stakeholders must ensure adequate provision of resources while the University ensures prudent management of the resources available.

Advising the graduands, Prof. Bello said with the completion of their studies in the school, they are bound to face challenges and obstacles, urging them to put what they have learned in the school into practice to surmount whatever challenges come their way.

On his part, the TASUED Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wole Banjo said, TASUED has taken leadership roles in promoting entrepreneurship education within Nigerian institutions, stressing that the institution now award two certificates to its graduates; one in their course of study and another in the chosen vocational program.

“Our primary goal is to create and equip our graduates with employable skills that will enable them to hire workers in their chosen fields and become globally competent educators of the subjects covered in Nigeria’s new entrepreneurship curriculum.

“We place so much importance on vocational studies such that any student who fails the entrepreneurial and vocational courses will not graduate from this University.

“We now offer a broader, more innovative curriculum than ever before. We have successfully launched new programmes, departments, and college, each designed to prepare students for a rapidly evolving job market. This expansion would not have been possible without the support of our committed staff, who have been tireless in their dedication to academic excellence”.

“We have sustained the laudable achievements of one hundred percent accreditation of all our academic programmes. All programmes run in the University including postgraduate programmes that lead to the award of Masters and Ph.D Degrees were fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC)”.

“The institution has introduced seven new academic programmes, to meet emerging global demands and local needs. These programmes reflect our resolve to remain at the forefront of higher education by offering innovative and relevant curricula. Through these additions, we aim to equip our students with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities required to excel in their chosen fields and to contribute meaningfully to society.

The management considered and created new programmes and further strengthened the existing units and departments”.

Speaking at the convocation ceremony, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, charged TASUED management to deepen collaborations with research institutions and focus on mechanized agriculture and agro-industrial development.

Governor Abiodun, who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, noted that the demand for educators and extension officers to support education initiatives in agriculture is growing and TASUED is well positioned to meet the needs.

“The demand for educators and extension officers to support these initiatives is growing, and TASUED is well positioned to meet these needs,” he said.

The governor, at the ceremony announced a donation of N2.5m to 85-year-old Bolaji Onafowokan for being the oldest PhD graduate of TASUED, and commended the graduand for overcoming academic obstacles to achieve the feat.

The governor said, “I am proud to announce that history is being made today. Not only is TASUED graduating its first set of Doctorate students, but also the university has put Ogun State in the global reckoning as one of the Doctorate graduates who is now officially the oldest PhD graduate in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, has come from TASUED”.

“Indeed, he is the sixth oldest in the world. He has been awarded a PhD in Educational Media and Technology. This is an unprecedented milestone for the institution, for Ogun State, and for Nigeria, and it is a great personal achievement”.

He commended the Vice Chancellor and the management of the University for the purposeful leadership which has repositioned the institution as a force to be reckoned with in the comity of higher education.

He said the diversification of the school into pure arts, pure sciences, and social sciences underscored the dynamic and responsive approach to addressing societal needs, just as the 100 percent accreditation of the institution’s programs is a reflection of the diligence and dedication of its leadership and style, urging the school to produce graduates who are deep thinkers and innovators to solve societal problems.

While congratulating the graduands, Governor Abiodun said by their achievements, they have upheld the highest standards the institution is noted for, just as their success reflects the years of sacrifice and hard work supported by their teachers and the unwavering love of their parents and guardians.

“For all the graduating students, this is not the end of your educational journey but the beginning of a life-long commitment to learning and growth. Be proud ambassadors of TASUED, Ogun State, and Nigeria. May your path be illuminated with wisdom and purpose as you aspire for the next chapter of your life,” the governor noted.

Cash awards were also given to best graduating students in each department.

In his convocation lecture titled “From Classroom to Cloud: Leveraging Digital Literacy for National Development,” the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said technology is imperative for Nigerian youth to embrace in order to be on par with their peers in other parts of the world, as technology is the foundation for economic growth.

He urged the graduands to use the power of technology to teach, educate, and transform society, as any society that is not technologically inclined would not make any headway in the 21st century.