By Umar Bayo Abdulwahab
Ilorin
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday warned the nation’s universities’ authorities not to use their students as agents of distabilisation of the country.
Jonathan handed down the warning while delivering his address at the 30th convocation ceremony of the University of Ilorin held at the auditorium of the university in Ilorin, Kwara state.
He said though his administration was aware of the unemployment crisis facing the growing youth population, university teachers must not use children under their care as cannon fodder in their struggle.
The statement said: “The task grooming our youth for national development devolves on the universities. Teachers should not use their students as laboratories for their doctrines, or as cannon fodder for their struggles in the society. They should see them as sacred gardens to tend and care for, till they bloom. The students under your care must not be used as agents for the destabilisation of our country. Our universities must demonstrate high quality intellectual leadership that will engender political, economic and social progress. Together we shall build a nation that be the pride of all.”
Represented by the Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, the president said his administration had invested so much on education sector, saying that this year alone the federal government “has released over 3billion naira through tetfund and ministry of finance to develop the educational sector as captured in needs assessment reports.”
In addressing the issue of unemployment, Jonathan said he had inaugurated a committee to create 3 million jobs annually to ensure that Nigerians were gainfully employed.
The president praised the university management, staff and students for not allowing “external forces” to disrupt the institution’s smooth academic programmes which had earned it the number one ranking in Nigeria and 20th in Africa.
Executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojei, charged the graduands to create jobs for themselves rather than waiting for elusive white-colar jobs.
Represented by Professor Adebisi Balogun ,the NUC boss urged the graduands to apply the knowledge acquired while in schools to become useful citizens for themselves and the country as a whole.