For the nation to resolve challenges of unemployment and poverty, Nigerian youth must embrace new technology and creative industry to be self reliance and job creators.
The vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo stated this in osogbo at eighth convocation ceremony of Osun state university.
It was an occasion of convocation for one thousand eight hundred and fourteen graduands of Osun state university and presentation of honorary degrees to former Osun state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola and minister of interior ,Doctor Wale Babalakin and chief Mrs Nike okundayi.
Speaking on the paper titled, Decades of chequered nigeria still hold the key to Africa development, the vice president and guest lecturer, Professor Yemi Osinbajo identified the current challenges facing the nation to bad management by the previous pilots of the country and called on new graduands to use their skills and knowledge to turn the challenges to opportunity.
Professor Osinbajo noted that Nigeria possessed the key to Africa growth due to its human and material endowment hence the need for Nigerian leaders to maximize the nation’s potential for advancement of African countries.
The vice president urged Nigerians to key into the present administration different safety net and social intervention programmes to change their economic status.
He hinted that if the nation’s sustain it agriculture reformation agenda,Nigeria would only be self sufficient in food production but a major exporter of agricultural products to all African countries.
Also speaking, pro-chancellor and chairman, governing council osun state university, osogbo, Mallam Yusuf Ali said the university would continue to develop graduands that would evolve ideas and initiative that would reposition the country for economic development.
Mallam Yusuf called on government to continue to support the university in the areas of research and innovation to position the university for international rating.
On his part,Osun state governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola urged the graduands to transform the knowledge they acquired for positive ventures and shun acts that could tarnish the image of the institution.
Governor Oyetola said his administration would continue to place priority on education,saying education remained the major weapon for economic and social liberation.
Oyetola, who is the Visitor to the Osun State University (Uniosun) spoke at the institution’s 8th convocation ceremonies.
He called for the overhauling of the nation’s education sector, particularly the tertiary education which according to him has the capacity to rescue the country out of her present socioeconomic predicaments.
The governor, who harped on merit in the award of academic excellence and accolade, admonished ranks and files in the education sector on the need for them to pursue the lofty ideals of education that emphasise learning and character.
He further said: “As you are all aware, the certificates that you will receive from this university are awarded to you on the basis of character and learning. In the order of importance, character comes before learning. It is character that opened the door to knowledge and kept it open until you completed your courses and earned a degree.
“The world is replete with persons of talents, but is looking for persons of character who are in short supply. I therefore enjoin you to be good ambassadors of the university and the state by displaying the highest level of character anywhere you find yourselves.
While congratulating the graduates, the governor tasked them to pursue things that could help to effect change and bring about positive impacts on the nation’s economy.
“I congratulate the graduands here today for the successful completion of their programmes and graduation. They are young men and women who have been baked in the best tradition of Uniosun and whose lives and accomplishments hold great promise for the state, Nigeria, and the world.
“I also congratulate their parents and guardians for their huge investment in their children and wards and for donating them to the world
Basking in euphoria of joy,some of the graduands said the skills they acquired had prepared them for future challenges.
