L-R: The Pro-Chancellor, Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye, Dr (Mrs) Onikepo Akande; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; the Chancellor and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Major General (Dr) Sansadeen Awosanya (rtd); Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi and wife of Chancellor, Mrs Wosilat Awosanya, during the official opening ceremony of Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye on Saturday.
*As Abiodun seeks more varsities to cater for admission needs
By Nudoiba Ojen
The founder, Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye, Maj. Gen. Sansadeen Awosanya (retd), has said that graduates of the university established with a vision to be a world class institution in a unique learning environment, will be awarded both academic and entrepreneurial certificates.
This is as the governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, says that Nigeria needs more universities and as well increase in the carrying capacity of existing institutions in the country to tackle the problem of access to tertiary education in the country.
They spoke on Saturday during the official opening ceremony of the Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye.
Awosanya, who lamented that Nigeria’s education had remained stagnate and still operating the system left behind by the colonial masters, said that “Aletheia University is poised to produce graduates with innovative minds who are morally sound and equipped to become professionals and employers of labour in the future.
The university’s Pro-Chancellor and former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Onikepo Akande, said the setting up of the university was to further pursue the founder’s dedication to serve God and humanity.
Akande said that the curriculum would be based on producing graduates who are not job seekers but products that could compare with their peers anywhere around the world.
Governor Abiodun said that opening of the institution represents a dream of a society where education is not just a privilege, but a right for everyone.
He said, “Statistics show us that almost two million candidates apply for admission into our tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Out of this number, only about 800,000 are able to secure admission. This leaves a huge gap because of the limited carrying capacity of our various institutions.
“Therefore, there is an urgent need to tackle this problem of access through the approach of increasing the carrying capacity of our institutions as well as establishing new ones.
“Definably, government alone cannot handle this, hence, there is a need to establish more private institutions like this,” he said.
Prince Abiodun, while noting that his administration having recognized the transformative power of education, introduced the Ogun State Education Revitalization Agenda (OGSERA), which he said has made the state the only state in the country with the Learners Identification Number (LIN).
The governor added that the LIN has enabled his administration to identify, and also follow the progress of students in the public primary and secondary schools in the state.
Abiodun also said that OGSERA would help transform education in the state, ultimately fostering a more skilled, knowledgeable and empowered generation ready to contribute to the state’s social economic development.
He said, “The Ogun State Education Revitalization Agenda (OGSERA), stands as a testament to our determination to provide quality education that is accessible to all.
“We have laid this foundation and today, Ogun State is the only state in the country that has what we call Learner Identification Number (LIN), meaning that every student in Ogun State has an LIN by which they are identified. This allows us to follow them from elementary, primary, secondary education, so we know the number of students in Ogun State. This is not applicable in any other state in the country,” he said.
The Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdulrasaq Adenuga, appreciated the state government for reconstructing the Ilisan – Ago -Iwoye Road, which has impacted on the socio-economic development of towns in the axis.
