The president and vice-chancellor of the University of America, Prof. Prince Gamaliel, has said the institution has been brought to Nigeria to contribute to the manpower of the country.
Gamaliel stated this in Abuja at the graduation/convocation ceremony of the university over in the weekend.
The vice chancellor said there is need to give unparalleled education to Nigerians and not allowing students to rely on their certificates but ensure they possess the skills needed to transform their lives
“We are contributing something to Nigerian society and one of the most important thing Nigeria needs is leadership. After independence, we left the education system in Nigeria in what I called indigenisation of education.
“We have now brought it back to take Nigeria forward. Every problem of Africa and Nigeria inclusive begin in the classroom because all the politicians came from the classrooms.
“If they are better equipped in the classrooms they would come out to be better leaders but if we have failed in the classroom what we see outside is the product we have from the classrooms.
“We must give unparalleled sound education and not just certificates but give them the experience that is needed for life. And that is why we are here to give people the skills,” he said.
Meanwhile, provost of the institution, Prof. Michael Ikupolati, has asked President Bola Tinubu not to listen to unnecessary criticism but focus on goals that would birth a new Nigeria.
While urging Nigerians to give the president the opportunity to settle so as to be able to find solutions to the challenges currently faced by the country.
“The current president should be given some time to settle. What he has started to do now is what we call the foundational aspect of economic or national development.
“When you are building up your foundation, nobody can see the building, all you can see first is people labouring and that is exactly what is happening now.
“We can’t see the beauty of what he is doing but I can tell you that he is leading a foundation for the geometrical growth in the economic development of Nigeria if he does not derail and focus on the future,’’ he said .
According to him, any leader who holds yesterday too tight to his chest will not see tomorrow but if you can focus on tomorrow and the goal and the general good of the people, will see the beautiful job.
He advised the president not to listen to unnecessary criticism but focus on the goal and look at Nigeria as one entity so that he can put things in place for the purpose of development.
Chairman, planning committee of the Convocation Ceremony and a Graduands, Dr. Simeon Obida called on the government to make education compulsory, affordable and accessible to all Nigerians.
Obida also called on Nigerian leaders to give the educational institutions a face lift, especially in the area of research to enhance a learning and teaching activities within the institutions.
