Anthony Iwuoma
Executive Secretary of African Capacity Building Foundation, Harare, Zimbabwe, Prof. Emmanuel Nnadozie, has urged youths not to allow circumstances rob them of their dreams.
In a special convocation lecture at the recent graduation ceremony of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, AE-FUNAI, in Ebonyi State, Nnadozie urged the fresh graduates not to despair over the current situation in the country, but strive to realize their dreans.
He said: “Graduation is an exciting time. It marks both an ending and a beginning, with warm memories of the past and big dreams for the future. The past is gone now, and your future beckons.
“Given current circumstances in Nigeria, for many of you, your dreams may not immediately come to realisation, as you had envisaged.
“But I urge you that no matter the situation, do not give up on your dreams. Do not lose faith either, but keep your eyes always on your goal.
“Let the moral values that you have internalised at this university be your guide so that you can be a true agent of the change and reform that our beloved country, Nigeria, so sorely needs.”
READ ALSO: Group sensitises communities on emergency response to flooding
Speaking on Fulfilling Education’s Promise in Africa: The Role of the University, the renowned academic, warned: “Say ‘no’ to the tribal/ethnic tendencies that are plaguing our society and driving us to the abyss of disintegration.
“Say ‘no’ to the corruption that has wreaked havoc in our country. Be ever conscious that you have a moral obligation, a mission and a mandate to do your part.”
He further advised the new graduates to “Always be good ambassadors of your university. Please, put your education, the knowledge and skills you have acquired to good use for the benefit of yourself, our beloved country and our dear continent. You must play a role in fulfilling education’s promise and helping to redeem Nigeria and Africa.”
Nnadozie also posited that university administrators needed to encourage a ‘tripartite education dialogue’ among the university, the government and the private sector to agree on key milestones, strategic actions and shared responsibilities.
He noted that state support for public universities had been declining, forcing many of such universities to seek private help.
Nnadozie added that the emerging relationships needed to be formalised and strengthened.
Furthermore, Nnadozie stated: “Students need to study, attend lectures regularly and benefit from all learning opportunities as much as possible.
“Alumni associations also have a major role. As brand-ambassadors for their institution, alumni are great role models for current students and can offer practical support to students as they start their careers.”
He identified four strategic action paths for fulfilling education’s promise, saying: “Prioritise tertiary education, prioritise learning over schooling, facilitate the transfer of learning through innovative pedagogy and harmonise the three main types of education, formal, non-formal and informal. In all of these tasks, universities must take the lead to identify the most actionable, evidence-based policy options and pathways.”
Meanwhile, Nigerian Ambassador to Argentina, with corresponding authority over Chile, Peru and Uruguay, Mr. Jonah Mkpuruka, has extolled the speedy development of the university.
READ ALSO: ‘I saw hell when my accusers inserted pepper into my private part’
Mkpuruka made the commendation during a courtesy call on the vice chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba.
He lauded the rapid growth of the university and also pledged his continuous support to the institution, vowing to link it with prominent universities in the countries of his diplomatic assignment to help it achieve its vision and aspirations
In a related development, the eighth-year-old university made history recently when it presented 28 programmes to the National Universities Commission, NUC, for accreditation.
At the end of the accreditation exercise, 26 of the programmes received full accreditation status, while two had interim accreditation.
Prior to the arrival of Nwajiuba as vice chancellor in 2016, 17 of the fully accredited programmes had interim status but with its current status, the university is getting closer to his resolve to ensure that all academic programmes of the university are fully accredited before his tenure expires.
