UniAbuja VC Lauds Aregbesola's Relentless Commitment To Education

…as the Varsity sets to establish its Distance Learning Education in the State

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Micheal Adikwu has commended the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for his untiring commitment and passion towards the provision of an improved, quality and functional education.

Professor Adikwu also commended the State Government for remain focused and determined in spite the present enormity of economic challenges facing the entire country.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution gave the commendation while addressing people during a courtesy visit to the Governor in his office by the management team of the university.

Professor Adikwu who was represented by his Deputy on Administration, Professor Sanni Mashi said the current government in the state has displayed a genuine commitment towards the promotion of modern public education with prompt financial interventions and provision of needed facilities aimed at aiding the teaching and learning process.

Professor Mashi said the State has placed itself at the front burner of quality and effective education thus earned the state several commendations, accolades and encomiums and as well made it the model among its peers in the country, africa and the entire world, saying the state education’s policy had been found worthy and copied by government at various levels locally and internationally.

He disclosed that the management and staff of the university in line with the constitution guiding the activities of Nigerian University deemed it fit to establish its Distance Learning Education in Osun which according to him if completed will be the first in the entire Southwestern region.

Professor Mashi stressed that the centre for Distance Learning and Continuing Education of the University was established in its continuous efforts to reach out to the teeming population of Nigerians to have the opportunity of formal education.

Professor Mashi said, “the aim of Distance Education is to increase access to education to a large number of citizens interested in furthering their education.

“Unlike the formal systems, however, Distance Education is designed to democratize and liberalize education to facilitate the pursuit of knowledge without sacrificing ones career.

“It also enables studies to be combined with work by those that are interested in involving themselves.

“One of the objectives of the system is to make life-long education the hallmark of Nigeria’s educational policy.

“Osun is the first state in the Southwest zone where the Centre wishes to establish its presence.

Professor Mashi who also attributed the visit of the management of the institution to the state to what he described as timely educational partnership and projection, said the establishment of the Distance Learning in the state will add more value to the education strides of the current government and as well boost its economic potentials.

“Our visit to Osun is to intimate Mr. Governor of our decision to establish a Distance Learning in Iragberi, Egbedore, Local Government area of the state.

“Our University has expressed its commitment to Distance Learning Education through involvement in the activities of the National Universities Commission and other strategic partnership dedicated solely to Open and Distance education advancement in the Commonwealth and Africa”, Professor Mashi stated.

Professor Mashi who extolled the administrative acumen of Governor Aregbesola, however vowed to give the current administration the necessary supports and collaboration.

“While we appreciate the enormity of the problems which government at all levels face these days, we equally demand for your support to enable us take off successfully in the state.

“To be specific we need an office space and facilities where preliminary work of the service centre will commence.

“We promise and assure that the activities of the centre in the state will impact positively on a large number of people in the state and contiguous states especially the youths and public servants.

“We wish your administration a successful accomplishment in your efforts to reposition the state as we look forward to partner with your government in the development of education sector in the state”, he said.

In his remarks, Governor Rauf Aregbesola commended the management of the institution for counting the state worthy of hosting such academic centre and for situating first of its kind in the state.

He added, “We appreciate the authority of UniAbuja for deeming it fit to pursue a cause that was almost dead and for building this monumental edifice in our state.

“Our state will continue to appreciate the economic benefits of this kind gesture, as host community will in no doubt be forever grateful to this.

Analyzing his commitment towards education, Governor Aregbesola said his administration prioritized education having understood the fact that education is the only heritage that one could live on and be so sure of, saying it is also the only patrimony that can never be joked with.

“To understand education both in philosophical and practical essence, education is beyond secondary level because it is the greatest tool for the advancement of every human community, society and organization.

“Therefore the difference between developed and under developed nations, is the degree of application of knowledge.

“No efforts should be spared in getting education to be properly disseminated and passed on.

“Though we are constrained with the economic tragedy that has befallen our nation by the phenomenal decline in our oil revenues which unfortunately is the mainstay of the economy, but we will do everything within the limit of our resources to support this project and ensure its success and realization”, Aregbesola stated.

He therefore urged the institution to support the state by situating science related courses that will meet the needs of the state, saying Information and Communication Technology ICT is the major area where the state needed most in energizing the youths towards the realization of independent life.

He said, “ICT is the tool for rapid transformation of any society, for this reason, our government needs university knowledge to advance our society in the area of ICT, sciences, administration and management.