Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to develop a sustainable strategy for financing education in Nigeria. Speaking at the 70th birthday celebration of the Vice Chancellor of Bells University, Prof. Oludele Ojediran, held at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Obasanjo emphasized the importance of robust youth empowerment initiatives.
Key Highlights from Obasanjo’s Speech
Obasanjo called for the establishment of a solid financing mechanism for education, asserting, “President Tinubu and the Federal Government must find a means to finance education for its sustainability.” He stressed the need for governments at all levels to invest in youth empowerment, enabling them to create job opportunities rather than rely solely on public sector employment.
The former president also lauded LAUTECH for its role in producing exceptional academics and administrators, including Professors Adeyemi and Ojediran, both former Vice Chancellors of Bells University. He reiterated his commitment to education, emphasizing that it should be treated as a service rather than a profit-driven venture. His words highlighted his dedication to preserving Nigeria’s educational heritage for future generations.
Local Development and Agriculture
In his speech, the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, also praised Obasanjo’s contributions to both education and agriculture. He urged Prof. Ojediran to leverage his expertise in agricultural engineering to advance the agricultural sector in Ogbomoso. The monarch pledged to allocate suitable farmland to individuals interested in agricultural projects, underlining the critical role of agriculture in fostering local development.
