Professor of Law Practice, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, has advised that there is no substitute for quality education, adding that it is in the interest of the Nigerian government to pay maximum attention to the education sector.
Speaking on the sideline of the inauguration of a twin-lecture theatre in the Faculty of Law, named after him by the management of a private university, Thomas Adewumi University (TAU), Oko-Irese, Kwara state, Ali said that the government alone cannot fund education.
The legal icon called on corporate organisations and individuals to also consider other interventions in the sector to help in moulding the country’s future leaders.
“There is no substitute for education and it’s easier to lead knowledgeable people than ignorant people. So, it is in the interest of the government to ensure that they pay maximum attention to the issue of education, especially, the funding.
“However, education has gone beyond government solely funding education. We need other interventions from corporate bodies, from other citizens and other people can intervene too. So it’s a mixed grill”, he said.
Ali expressed delight that the honour was done to him without any financial contribution from him to the project, but in recognition of his disposition and contributions to the education development.
Also speaking, the vice chancellor of Thomas Adewumi University, Professor Francisca Oladipo, said that the twin lecture theatre was named after the legal luminary to inspire the institution’s undergraduates, particularly, the Law students to aspire to attain greater heights, like him.
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Speaking on the motive for naming the hall after Professor Ali, the VC said “each time our students see his name twin lecture theatre, they will remember him, and want to be like him. It will also inspire them to want to think like him especially, the Law students.
She hinted that the building was constructed by the institution, saying “we did everything ourselves using the Laterite blocks, popularly known as the mud blocks. No aspect of the construction was contracted to anybody, not even the metal works. For the roofing, we got wood from a very big old tree that used to be on the campus,” she said .
In his address, founder of the university, Engineer Dr Johnson Adewumi, also acknowledged that Professor Ali’s dedication to education, justice, and the empowerment of young minds align with the vision and mission of establishing the university.
“We are proud of the strides TAU has made in its quest for academic excellence, and today’s commissioning represents another significant chapter in that journey”, he said.