The Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University, Prof. Odunayo Adebooye, has urged the Federal Government to provide enabling environment for technological innovation that would key into the fifth industrial revolution.
He gave the advice at the 13th Graduation, Valedictory Service and Prize-Giving Ceremony of Lariken International College (LIC) on Sunday in Ibadan.
Adebooye, who was the chairman of the occasion, noted that technological advancement and innovation was key in driving global economy in the fifth industrial revolution, that nations were about to enter which Nigeria must prepare for.
“We are in the fourth industrial revolution now but by the 22nd century, what we will see are things that we have never seen before, which will happen in the area of technology.
“We will see radical development that will stun human beings and perhaps at that time, human beings would be able to manufacture human hearts and lungs, that will replace the natural lung. Things will happen that will beat our imagination.
“A developed country and a developing country are separated by technology, which is the distinguishing factor. What developing countries must try to do is to advance technologically,” he stated
The don noted that most of the people driving the technological advancement in developed countries were Nigerians, adding that the enabling environment was the secret.
“We must create the educational, social and economic environment that will make technology thrive in Nigeria.
“Universities must be empowered, tech-novation institutions must be in place, to build technology that would make Nigeria key into the technological and innovation of the world.
“The rest of the world is already preparing for the next generation, for the fifth industrial revolution and Nigeria must not be left behind,” Adebooye said.
According to him, there is a need to erase religion and ethnicity from the people’s subconscious as Nigerians and that it must be removed from the Curriculum Vitae for employment, to achieve unity in the country.
He tasked the graduating students on virtues such as diligence, dedication, trust and empathy, to be able to impact their world, adding that they must key into technological advancements, to forge a better future.
Corroborating Adebooye’s opinion, Prof. Olusola Kehinde, Chairman, Governing Board of the institution and Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, said the future has to do with technology.
He said Nigeria must ensure that infrastructure, facilities and programs that could encourage the youths to embrace technology were abound, noting that there were so many opportunities in technology in all areas.
Kehinde called for a deliberate focus of the government in the area of technology, adding that the school curricula must be rejigged, right from the primary level to the tertiary.
In his address, the Director, LIC, Mr Idowu Jiboku said the school would continue to raise the bar of academic excellence, by expanding its facilities to cater for more students and improve its school of entrepreneurship.
According to him, education transcends examination scores, as it encompasses the cultivation of minds, development of character and the inculcation of values, that will guide graduates as they navigate the world beyond the campus.
“The school firmly believe that education forms the foundation for societal progress. However, genuine progress hinges upon a bedrock of moral principles.
“The challenges our nation faces today are not solely due to a lack of brilliance, but rather scarcity of individuals with unwavering values and high moral standards.
“Prioritizing values over financial gains is pivotal in eradicating issues like kidnapping, corruption, and robbery.
“Thus, our institution is dedicated to nurturing individuals who become solutions, rather than contributors to these challenges.
“Our school’s ethos of hard work, integrity, respect and Godliness is not a mere slogan; it is a way of life, ingrained in every student who enters our gates,” Jiboku said.
The best-graduating student of the school is Josiah Destiny, who had the best result in 2022/2023 WASSCE and 337 score in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
