Former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has said his education foundation (Rochas Foundation) will partner with the University of Jos to deepen education in the country.
The former governor spoke during the matriculation ceremony for new students of the University of Jos for the 2024/2025 academic session.
He said education remains the bedrock of society, but it is disturbing that there are still vast numbers of out-of-school children in the country and Africa at large.
He reiterated that the university has become the principal partner of the Rochas Foundation, adding that out of the 31,000 (thirty-one thousand) students of Rochas Foundation from Jos, Kano, Bauchi, Zaria, Sokoto, and all over the country, 10% are at the University of Jos, and 311 are among the matriculating students.
According to Rochas, 68 students are from different African countries, while the rest are from Nigeria.
He advised the students to take advantage of the federal government student loan scheme, apply to pay their school fees and support their education. He added that the loan is flexible, as repayment is after completion of school and when they begin to work.
“Today, in Africa, we have 100 million out-of-school children, and it is an unacceptable and worrisome figure. Still, the number is increasing geometrically. But you students here have the opportunity to go to school.
“So I want to tell the University of Jos that the Rochas Foundation wants to partner with the school to expand the scope of education and knowledge and how we can reduce the number of out of school children, especially in the Northern part of the country.
“Education is no longer going to school to obtain a degree, education is no longer a right, but education is life itself now, and it is that external force that will propel one to become a better person tomorrow,” he said.
Okorocha advised the students to take their studies seriously and not make friends who will derail them from their academics, stressing that their future is in their hands and their graduation with flying colours begins immediately.
He added that the University of Jos has produced many dignitaries too numerous to mention, including himself, who earned his first degree in Law and his Master’s at the university.
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