How varsities can produce credible leaders, by Alaafin

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has called for a stimulating enabling environment that will spur universities to inaugurate a new regime of socially relevant innovative research, technology-driven teaching and capacity building.
This, he said, would aim at producing graduates that can hold their own in any field and in any part of the world.
Oba Adeyemi made the call in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital shortly after his investiture as Chancellor of Bells University.
He stated that aspirations of society are that the university as
custodian of civilized cultures must produce leaders who can occupy
positions of responsibilities without compromising basic ethical
standards, and will not abuse their offices.
“This is the only mandate that can truly contribute to an enduring
legacy and accelerate our journey to progress as a nation. Generally,
higher education is believed to have critical roles to play in
development. They exist to serve the society and proffer scientific
solutions to the challenges facing our communities. Therefore, it is
expected that ideas, debates, suggestions and innovations coming out
of our institutions must improve the quality of life and well-being of
members of the society”.
The paramount was optimistic that Bells University has a critical role
to play in turning the country into a knowledge-based society where
the graduates coming out of campus become positive influencers and
change agents everywhere they are found.
While congratulating the graduands, their parents and sponsors on
their steadfastness and determination to succeed, Alaafin noted that
“today marks the recognition and acceleration of hard work and
success. Today opens another chapter in the lives of those who have
humbled themselves for knowledge. Those of you graduating today have
indeed crossed many hurdles in the course of your study”.
“They have been trained with the intellectual and moral capacity to
stand tall among their peers and be able to exhibit competitive
advantage in a highly competitive world”.
Alaafin continued, “without an iota of any doubt, the fusion of morals
with academics which informs the vision and mission of the Proprietor
of the Citadel of knowledge will propel this institution to a lofty
height in the near future. For any doubting Thomases, the records are
incontrovertible, and am proud to be part of this project which has
produced ambassadors both within and outside the shores of the
country. I shall in my capacity as Chancellor do everything possible
to move this university to another level”.
The Chancellor also appreciated the support of various donors and
promoters who have endowed most of the university’s buildings and
equipments on the campus, as well as others who have put forward
their donations in financial terms, some of them of blessed memory.