The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, (NGF) Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, his counterpart in Oyo, Governor Seyi Makinde, and the High Commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Humprey Geiseb, has advocated for adequate investment in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education to enable the country solve its prevailing challenge.
Delivering the maiden lecture of the Thomas Adewumi University (TAU), Oko-Irese, Irepodun local government area of Kwara state, on Tuesday, Governor Mankinde said that nations of the world that had invested adequately in STEM education are now leading the world, adding that Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind.
This is just as the High Commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Humprey Geiseb, said Nigeria and Namibia have established a strong tie through educational exchange programs, urging the two countries to explore the advantages.
Makinde, represented by his Chief of Staff (COS), Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, asked the pioneer graduates of TAU, whom he said are graduates produced in the 21st century, to take the lead in providing technology-driven solutions to the country’s problems.
“You are the torchbearers of Thomas Adewumi University. Think big, dream of solutions to challenges, act locally, and address challenges in your community,” he said.
Cross-section of graduating students
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Kayode Alabi, at the ceremony, corroborated the position of the convocation lecturer even as he praised the vision of the founder of the university.
“The theme of this convocation, Fostering a Globally Competitive and Self-Reliant Nation: The Impact of Innovative STEM Education,” could not be more timely. In an era where Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) shape global progress. It is important that we prepare not just a generation of innovators equipped to address our nation’s challenges and compete on the world stage, but also raise leaders who would lead with the right insights, empathy, and firmness that leadership requires,” Abdulrazaq said.
L-R- the Registrar, Thomas Adewumi University Oko-Irese, Kwara State, Mr. Kolawole Fisoye, former Commissioner for Education, Kwara State, Alh. Raheem Adedoyin, the University’s Director of Physical Planning, Engr. Olanrewaju Ilesanmi, Deputy Governor of Kwara State HE Kayode Alabi, Founder/ Chancellor, Thomas Adewumi University, Dr. Johnson Bamidele Adewumi and the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Oyo State, Chief Segun Ogunwuyi at the foundation laying of the building of the College of Medical and Health Sciences during the maiden Convocation of the University in Oko on Tuesday.
The founder and newly inaugurated chancellor of the university, Dr. Johnson Adewumi, said the vision of establishing the university was “not only to produce graduates but mould leaders who will be problem solvers regardless of their disciplines.”
He said TAU will continue to produce graduates who will not be job seekers but those who can drive national policy through innovative research and technologically driven solutions.
Adewumi praised the decision of the administration of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State to name the General Hospital Omu-Aran as Thomas Adewumi University Teaching Hospital for the takeoff of the institution’s medicine programme, describing it as “historical.”
He also commended the governor for embarking on massive infrastructure development across the state said “Before, it would take you 30 minutes to travel from Omuaran to Oko but now it takes 5 minutes.”
Also in his remarks, the JAMB registrar, represented by Gani Olabisi, lauded the remarkable milestone of the TAU in just a few years of establishment and commended the vision of the founder and the management staff.
On his part, TAU pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council, Professor Victor Olanrewaju, urged Governor Abdulrahman, as the chairman of Nigeria’s governor’s forum (NGF), to prevail on the federal government to reconsider its stand on the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) so that it can accommodate private universities as beneficiaries.
Presenting the graduating students, the Vice-chancellor of the university, Professor Francisca Oladipo, said the 26 pioneer graduates of the university were thoroughly bred.
“Apart from awarding a degree, all our graduates have also acquired a minimum of two International ICT Certifications offered by Google, IBM, Coursera, and other Global Partners for Sustainable Development, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.”
She also made known that the University is now offering 27 academic programmes across the 24 departments under 7 faculties with 1,215 students.
Added that all their courses are fully accredited by the National Universities Commission, (NUC).
