President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has maintained that the economic policies of his government will soon yield positive results.
The President however pleaded with Nigerians to support the policies despite the difficulties currently being experienced.
He made the plea in Zaria on Saturday while speaking at the 43rd Convocation ceremony of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria .
Represented by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, the President said the policies seem difficult, but the desired positive outcomes will soon happen.
“I will like to solicit for understanding and support of Nigerians towards the government’s economic reform programmes inspired by the difficulties involved. We are very much hopeful that these policies will yield the desired results in no distant future.”
On the role of universities to national development, President Tinubu said Ahmadu Bello University among other Nigerian universities have contributed immensely to research and development, hence the need for them to partner industries and entrepreneurs to commercialize their ideas.
He also called on the graduates to go out and be job creators and job seekers, adding that opportunities available to them are limitless and open to them to conquer.
According to the President, “Universities are known as citadels of research and innovation, which provide the necessary ingredients for development of societies. Ahmadu Bello University enjoys an enviable status in its contribution to research and innovation especially in the areas of agriculture, medicine, engineering among others.
“I therefore urge the university to publicize their research and collaborate with industries and entrepreneurs for commercializing such ideas.
“Today, the higher education sector is witnessing tremendous growth, internalization and impact from globalization. This is facilitated in part by partnerships, collaborations and the use of information and communication technology.
“The initiative of the university in developing a regional and internationalization policy aimed at attracting international staff and students, is a right step in the right direction. The Federal Government is complementing these pragmatic efforts through its recent approval of transnational education in Nigeria.
“This policy allows universities and investors abroad to set up institutions within Nigeria, owned by them or collaborate and partner with existing Nigerian institutions.
“Gone are the days when Nigeria was bottle-lapped in the areas of knowledge and cooperation. Overall therefore, this gives Nigerians access to quality education based on global standards and also saves foreign exchange.
“On our part, this government acknowledges the critical roles of tertiary institutions to achieving the aims of this government to place the nation on the path of development. We will continue to support the institutions with suitable policies and resources that will facilitate its roles.
“Our students will also enjoy such support such as the students loans that we have now expanded to cater for those pursuing skills based courses, in addition to those in the universities,” he said
While congratulating the graduating students, the President urged them to use the knowledge they have acquired for societal development to justify the resources expended on their studies. “You are therefore expected to be job creators, rather than job seekers. The opportunities available are limitless and open to you to conquer.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Chancellor of the University and the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeke Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, commended the Federal Government for removing the Federal Universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), adding that the decision will go a long way in guaranteeing the autonomy of the universities.
Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Kabiru Bala said, of the 25,432 graduating with various degrees, 647 bagged PbD, 5,167 Masters, 40 MPhil and 955 Post Graduate Diplomas.
He also disclosed that, out of 11,916 graduates with Bachelor degrees, 182 earned First Class degrees, 3,902 earned second class upper degrees, while 11,552 graduated with second class (lower division).
In attendance at the convocation ceremony were Governors of Kaduna and Zamfara State, Senator Uba Sani and Dauda Lawal, Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali and former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke among others.
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