Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has emphasised the need for institutions in the country producing graduates with the skills and mentality to confront the country’s urgent challenges front on.
Oyebanji urged institutions to concentrate research activities targeted at addressing major national concerns while also creating graduates who can deliver solutions to promote sustainable development.
The governor spoke on Saturday at the 8th convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Oye Ekiti, where a total of 6,563 students graduated, including 114 First Class, 2,762 (second class upper), 2,793 (second class lower), 688 (third class), 163 masters, 36 Ph.D., and seven postgraduate diploma holders.
The university also awarded honorary doctorates to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Doctor of Public Law), Senate Committee on Finance Chairman Solomon Adeola (Doctor of Accounting), and House of Representatives Committee on Navy Chairman Yusuf Gagdi (Doctor of Political Science).
Oyebanji asked colleges to modify their courses to emphasise critical thinking, innovation, and entrepreneurship as potential answers to the country’s challenges.
The governor praised FUOYE for its many accomplishments in a short period, 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.
“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.”
cc: Punch Ng
