Tinubu urges varsities on innovation as FUL graduates over 2,700 students

Dada Ahmed in Lokoja. 

The President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has urged universities in Nigeria to be more committed towards the pursuance of increased innovations and new knowledge to enable them the desired impact on the country. 

Tinubu gave the advice on Saturday in a message he sent to the 6th and 7th combined convocations of the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State. 

Represented by the Minister for Special Duties, Mr. Zaphaniah Jisalo, the president reminded the university community that, “Today we live in a rapidly changing world which demands our constant requirement to pursue innovations, new knowledge and skills in our educational institutions in order to be relevant and make our society a better place. 

He said that his administration placed premium on technology and innovation as drivers of technological growth and economic development of Nigeria. 

According to him, education remains a focal point in the renewed hope agenda of his administration, adding that government is keen in prioritizing courses in steel in its institutions by offering scholarship to students to enable them increase to study technology related courses. 

Tinubu noted with delight that the establishment of the College of Health Sciences by the federal university, Lokoja was line with his comprehensive mission to ensure healthier, improved healthcare system and prosperous Nigeria. 

” I am more aspired by the vision of this university to become one of the top ten ranking universities in Africa and to produce employable graduates through competent tests, research, and practical community service,” he said. 

President Tinubu, who commended the management of the university for a purposeful leadership, stressed the need for the institution to transform its mission into living reality. 

According to him, this is necessary for it to make meaningful impact in the present and future generation of graduates of the university and the larger society. 

He called on the graduands to be good ambassadors of the university by making use of the knowledge, experience, and value they acquired to better the larger society. 

Earlier in his speech, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, disclosed that the combined event, the second convocation under his administration, saw the graduation of 2,738 students. 

According to him, the university produces 61 first glass graduates, adding that the institution had organized 12 inaugural lectures so far in its conscious effort to promote academic excellence through institutionalization of academic traditions and. 

ceremonies. 

Prof. Akinwumi, a renowned historian, said that FUL had not relaxed in its bid to strengthen “town and gown” relationship and carry out community service through public lectures. 

“These public lectures are aimed at extending the frontiers of knowledge and global visibility of the university. 

“Our staff have continued to exhibit the highest level of academic and distinction. Several of them won highly competitive international fellowships and awards. Many of our colleagues have also made outstanding marks in TET Fund sponsored research projects, he added. 

The Chancellor of the university, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Muhammadu Abali, the Emir of Fika, noted that College of Post graduate studies in the university had grown tremendously in students, programmes and impact. 

The traditional ruler added that the university is fast expanding, especially in its Felele campus. 

“This is a testament of our commitment to parents, guardians, and supporters, that we keep our bargain to place this university in the bastions of colleges and knowledge, globally,” according to him. 

The governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashed Ayoade Arike, disclosed that his administration had increased its annual budgetary allocation to the education sector to 30 per cent to boost the sector. 

Our correspondent reports that some prominent Nigerians, such as Ordinary Ahmed Isah, the owner of reality show,”Embelembe”, Abuja and Prof Olu Obafemi, a prolific play write, received honorary PhD degree at the occasion. 

A cross section of society, including some vice chancellors of other universities, politicians among others attended the ceremony.