The Federal government has promised more job opportunities for the teeming unemployed graduates as it has embedded such opportunity in the budget with the focus on the private sector.
President Muhammadu Buhari, Visitor to the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Chiedu Mafiana, stated this at the institution’s 28th Convocation ceremony held on Saturday at the University Auditorium.
President Buhari said “in spite of the challenges our dear nation is going through, my administration will remain focused and resilient in promoting teaching and research that engender self-reliance and employability.
“In this regard, government has embedded opportunities for job creation in the budget with focus on the private sector, so that today’s graduates and their predecessors yet to be gainfully employed can leverage the available entrepreneurial opportunities.”
He also said government has embarked on development of a roadmap “Education for Change” with clearly defined objectives and strategies to uplift the education sector and also place education on the front burner because of its role in nation building.
The president called on the graduands to use their acquired skills to bring fresh and stimulating contributions to the change agenda of the nation.
He commended the University management under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola for transforming the Institution in terms of intellectual breakthrough and infrastructural development.
He particularly mentioned FUTA’s involvement in the recent launch of a Cube Satellite in Japan saying “I commend efforts made by FUTA to launch a Cube Satellite through collaboration with Kyushu Institute of Technology (KIT), Japan and National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to ensure the participation of Nigeria in the unique network of global research and space outreach.”
Speaking in the same vein, Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu said “we in government will do our best to make sure you are gainfully employed.”
He urged the graduands to apply the training they have acquired to the society positively so as to become entrepreneurs who will eventually create jobs, stating that “Your training as products of a university of technology should make you different in transforming this nation and also afford you better opportunities.”
He praised the effort of the Vice Chancellor in transforming the landscape of FUTA, commending judicious utilisation of funds internally generated to build some of the infrastructure.
In separate addresses, the Chancellor and Emir of Bauchi, HRH, Alhaji (Dr) Rilwan Suleiman Adamu, CFR, FNIOB, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Dr Mohammad Shata, and Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola, commended the federal government’s effort at revamping all sectors of the nation’s economy, including education through the Change Agenda and urged the graduands to key into it.
The Chancellor said “our country is in serious need of people of goodwill, with physical and intellectual agility of youth like you to pull it out of the present economic doldrums. I expect you to contribute your quota to redeem our body polity and overcome the present socio-economic and political challenges bedevilling us as a nation.”
Also Dr Mohammed Shata urged the graduands to use their new status and skills acquired to bring about reformation of the nation’s technological, political, social, economic and educational sectors.
Similarly, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Daramola enjoined the graduands to continue to be good and worthy ambassadors of the university as they positively impart the world.
“The strength of any nation is in its youth. I implore you to contribute your quota to the development of Nigeria and the world at large,“ he added.
At the event, honorary degree was conferred on a former Minister of Agriculture and current President, African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina. In recognition of his dynamic contributions to the society, the university management conferred on him Doctor of Science (Management) honoris causa.
Responding, Dr. Adesina said the recognition was not for him, but about his friend and class mate at the then University of Ife, Professor Adebiyi Daramola and the graduands. He commended the monumental transformation in FUTA under Daramola’s tenure as Vice Chancellor as testified to by many.
Adesina said “I am so proud of your achievement, Mr Vice Chancellor. When I went round the campus with the governor, Arakunrin Akeredolu, we were both impressed by what we saw. The fact that some of them were built from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and their quality confirms your prudence and good leadership. We are proud of you.”
Adesina also encouraged graduands to be deaf to the noise around them because such noise(s) are always disturbing, distracting, confusing and discouraging.
“Close your ears to noise, pray to God and trust Him. Whatever you do let your lives be bill boards that will advertise God and ensure that you give whatever you believe in or do your best shot and you will achieve success,” he said.
At the event, 4,790 were conferred with FUTA degrees, ranging from Diploma to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). 68 bagged Diploma, 2,889 Bachelors with 85 in First Class, 954 Post Graduate Diplomas (PGD), 767 Masters and 112 PhD’s.
Ali Adul-Hafeez Somomhe, a graduate of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE), in the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET), emerged overall best student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.89.
In his address he called on governments at all levels and policy makers in the education sector to strive to make universities of technology, in particular and all higher institutions to be oriented towards problem- solving.
“The need to train great problem solvers for our nation cannot be overemphasised. Students in specialized universities like FUTA should be trained with curriculum designed to create practical solutions to the world numerous challenges.” he said.
Ali commended the university management, staff and students for making FUTA what it is. He said “on behalf of graduating set of 2016, I appreciate the university management, especially the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebiyi Daramola. Thank you for keeping things running smoothly. We promise to remain good ambassadors of the university and the country. ”
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