From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has challenged Nigerian universities to serve as a compass to a new Nigeria that will lead to rapid national development.
Uzodimma said this in Nsukka on Thursday while delivering the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) 52nd Convocation Lecture, titled “Why Universities Should Lead the Way to a New Nigeria.”
He said that universities in the country should migrate to the smart digital age to enable them to lead the way to a new, prosperous, and greater Nigeria.
“Universities in advanced economies have taken the lead in science, innovation, and leadership because they transformed and embraced smart digital learning.
“My postulation to this lecture is that our universities should provide the compass that should lead us to that new, prosperous, and great Nigeria that is also capable of addressing the emerging challenges such as the challenge posed by climate change.
“The job of universities in this regard should begin with the right diagnosis of where we ought to be as a nation of 200 million people after 63 years of Independence.
“Universities need to also search within to identify the factors that are keeping us down from achieving the potentials inherent in our vast human and material resources
“Sadly Nigerian universities are yet to adapt to the fast-paced knowledge economy driven by technology. The truth is that Nigerian universities are ill-prepared to perform their roles as a source of producing the type the pipe pipe of knowledge that can of knowledge that can serve the ever-evolving technology sector with the requisite manpower and expertise.
“This may be as a result of poor funding, inadequate infrastructures, dearth of skilled ITC personnel, and absence of engagement with industries and government have remained the major challenges hindering our universities from contributing to the global expansion of emerging technologies and innovations,” he said.
The Governor said further that for universities in the country to lead the way to a new Nigeria they should not only provide high-level manpower for national development but should also discipline and well-cultured graduates to justify the certificate of finding them worthy.
“As Ivory Towers, the best of human behaviour in terms of morals and ethics should be found in the universities.
“Such virtues like honesty, accountability, fairness, transparency, and quality should not be in short supply,” he said
He urged university authorities to withdraw the certificates of graduates found guilty of corrupt and criminal activities, as well as disrobe and prosecute any lecturer found guilty of sexual harassment and unethical practices.
Uzodimma, however, said for a new Nigeria of our dream to be achieved the government has a role to play by investing in universities prioritizing Research and innovation, as well as creating an enabling environment for our students to thrive and ensuring that they are equipped with skills, knowledge and character necessary to contribute to the development of the nation.
He commended UNN management for finding him worthy to deliver the prestigious convocation lecture.
In a remark, General Ike Nwachukwu (Retired), a former military Governor of IMO State, who chaired the occasion said that university as a hub of knowledge and innovation has a crucial role to play in leading Nigeria to a brighter and prosperous future.
“Universities in Nigeria should provide solutions to challenges of the country to enable us to join world leading economy.
“Let us reaffirm our commitment to invest heavenly and harness the power of education and innovation to take our economy to the next level,” he said.
Earlier in a remark, Prof. Charles Igwe, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, said that convocation lecture is one of the enduring traditions of the University.
“It is an occasion when carefully chosen guest speakers are invited to speak on topics of national or global interest, which usually represents a high point in our convocation ceremony and the university community always looks forward to it with great expectations.
“Our 52nd convocation lecturer, Senator Hope Uzodimma, is a detribalised Nigeria and a great advocate for equity in a united Nigeria.
“He is also a strong optimist who believes that a new and better Nigeria is truly possible. It is not surprising, therefore, that the topic of the lecture is ‘Why Universities Should Lead the Way to a New Country’, he said.
The VC noted that the topic of the lecture is apt and suits the mood of the nation.
“Remarkably, our convocation lecturer has chosen to provoke this important conversation on the future role of universities in the domain of the first indigenous university in Nigeria,” he said.
Mrs. Nnedinma Ekomaru, Deputy Governor of Imo State, Chief Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, among others, were present during the occasion