Prof. Gbadegesin stresses need to create jobs to reduce unemployment

The Professor of Geography, University of Ibadan, Professor Adeniyi Gbadegesin,says Nigeria must perceive the need to create jobs and drastically reduce unemployment rate
through the promotion and development of self-reliant graduates.

Prof. Gbadegesin said this on Friday at the 11th Convocation Lecture of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, describing the act as non- negotiable.

Gbadegesin,who was the Former Vice-Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, said the topic of the lecture ”Entrepreneurial Education and Sustainable Human Development: A Priority for Nigerian Private Universities” was apt.

According to him, in this lecture, ”we have been able to make a distinction between entrepreneurship as the innovative, risk taking and proactive behaviour needed to start and grow a new venture.

“This is as technical and vocational educational training (TVET) are the acquisition of skill and
knowledge needed for the world of work.

“In addition, the need for entrepreneurship education in tertiary institutions in order to produce self-reliant graduates and consequently turn around the nation’s economny must be pursued with vigour.

“However, the perpetual cuts in public spending by Governments at all levels on education has continued to create set back in the provision of facilities and equipment for teaching
and learning practical-related courses and needs to be rectified immediately.

“This is unlike Private Universities where the Board of Trustees is always abreast of shortcomings in funding relevant University academic programs.

“Nevertheless, Nigerian tertiary institutions especially Private Universities have a great
challenge ahead.

“It is a fact that the biggest issue in
running most private universities in Nigeria nowadays is funding”, said Gbadegesin.

He called on the government to find a way to assist private universities through Tetfund since Tetfund is funded from taxes paid by everyone, including Proprietors of Private Universities.

He urged private universities to identify and embrace a synergy between entrepreneurship and technical educational and vocational training as complementary skills to achieving both immediate and future goals.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Al-Hikmah University, Prof. Noah Yusuf said “the University farm has been harvesting various crops from its farm and selling at subsidised prices to the immediate University communities in Igbaja and Ilorin.

“Our plan is to turn the vast hectares of land in Igbaja into a highly mechanized farming region.

“This will boost the food security within
the axis and to the country at large,” the vice chancellor said.

Yusuf called on philanthropists to assist the institution to provide quality education for Nigerians as number of admitted students for 2021 is 1,287.

“In the academic sphere, the University has established a Centre for Peace and Security Studies, as part of its determination to practically demonstrate the town and gown culture.

“We all know that threat to peace is the greatest challenge facing the country now more than ever before,” he said.

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