Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has stressed the need for universities in the country to produce graduates equipped with the skills and mindset to tackle the pressing problems of the country head-on.
Oyebanji charged universities to prioritise research efforts aimed at tackling critical challenges confronting the nation as well as producing graduates who are solution providers to drive sustainable development.
The governor spoke on Saturday during the 8th convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, where a total of 6,563 students comprising 114 who bagged First Class, 2,762 (second class upper), 2,793 (second class lower), 688 (third class), 163 masters, 36 Ph.D. and seven post graduate diploma graduated.
The university also conferred honorary doctorates on the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Doctor of Public Law); Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Solomon Adeola (Doctor of Accounting); and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Navy, Yusuf Gagdi (Doctor of Political Science).
Oyebanji urged universities to revamp their curricula to emphasize critical thinking, creativity, and entrepreneurship that could provide solutions to the problems of this country.
The governor hailed FUOYE for its numerous achievements within a short time, saying, “I have watched with keen interest the phenomenal growth of this university from 5,041 students to 51,000 in less than eight years, as well as the quality of scholarship in the institution.
He congratulated the graduands and charged them to take advantage of the training and learning they have acquired to contribute their quota to society, adding, “As a government, we will continue to collaborate with this institution, but I plead with you, sir, the university must put a lot of emphasis on research, we must produce solution providers, people that will help to solve the problem of this country.”
Bamidele, who spoke on behalf of the honorees, said the honorary degree conferred on them served as a testament to their dedication, achievement, and commitment to excellence in their respective fields.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abayomi Fasina, said that despite the institution’s achievements and infrastructure growth, “we are yet to attain the FUOYE of our dream, and we will not rest on our oars until that is done.
Fasina listed the vision of his administration in the next couple of years to include the construction of the Senate Building, the establishment of a Renewable Independent Power Station, and the construction of a Pavilion at the University Sports Centre as well as an academic building for lecturers’ offices.