The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka has made a case for quality citizenship education as an imperative towards achieving political stability in Nigeria. The Vice-Chancellor stated this while presenting his address on the occasion of the Undergraduate Matriculation ceremony of the Federal College of Education, Okene Degree programme in affiliation with the University of Ibadan on May 24, 2019 at the mini auditorium of the School of Arts and Social Sciences.
Prof. Olayinka, who was represented at the occasion by the University Director, Directorate of Affiliated Institutions, Prof. Mujeeb Kolawole Akinsola, while speaking on the topic “Education and citizenship”, said the objective of education was to make life worth living by advancing the socio-economic and political well-being of the citizens of any society through well thought out programmes that are designed to promote the common good. He argued that “Education has significant roles to play in national development”, as a solid educational plan and execution has the capacity to foster responsible citizenship and political stability.
Professor Olayinka therefore, stated that “the school, which is one of the agents of socialization, gives one of the most auspicious avenues to inculcate rightful societal values and norms into coming generations for the purpose of achieving political stability and an authentic, country specific social engineering.” He therefore, called on the matriculants to use education as a tool of empowerment to make their own decisions and take responsibilities for their lives and the direction of their communities.
Speaking further, Prof. Olayinka congratulated the matriculants for coming “into the first and best University in Nigeria,” and counsel them to remember that “success in a race is not determined at the starting point but at the finish line. I pray that your ambition will not be truncated. I am also optimistic that you will succeed.”
Speaking earlier at the occasion, the Provost of the College, Dr. Umar Hassan in his address reiterated the determination and commitment of the Management of the Federal College of Education, Okene towards sustaining and improving on the mutual relationship existing between the two institutions. He said that “no efforts will be spared in building on the cherished academic culture of excellence and standards both institutions have been known for”, assuring that the College would at all times, redeem her obligations to the University in good time.
The Provost used the opportunity to appeal to the University Management to review the cut-off point from 200 to 180, in his words, “one of the teething problems this programme (Undergraduate) is confronted with, is the dwindling enrolment which we believe is not unconnected with the high cut-off point of the University.” Dr. Hassan asserted that this review was necessary in order to accommodate the teaming prospective candidates seeking for admission placement in the Undergraduate programme.
The ceremony was attended by Management staff members of the College, as well as high ranking officials from the University of Ibadan led by Prof. O. A. Fakolade, who stood in for Prof. Akinsola, among other guests and dignitaries. A total of 150 students were matriculated into the eleven (11) Undergraduate programmes. A breakdown of the figure shows that 47 students matriculated into the 100 level while 107 students matriculated into the 200 levels programmes.