Ekiti Varsity VC Blames Nigeria Challenges on Insincerity of Citizenry

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

The Vice-Chancellor of  Ekiti State University, (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, Professor Edward Olanipekun, has blamed Nigeria challenges on insincerity of its people whose actions were against the development of the country.

Olanipekun said this has adversely affected various sectors and  the economy of the country.

He spoke at the 81st inaugural lecture of the institution delivered by a Professor of Science Education,  Samuel Akingbade Jegede entitled, “Science Education In Nigeria: Asphyxiating But Undulating.”

The VC, who described  the lecture as  well delivered, challenged scholars, intellectuals and eggheads, including himself to always come up with findings that would impact positively on the society.

He said: “The question that is begging for answer is that, which way do way go in Nigeria?  To say we are at a crossroad is an understatement. The economy is something that is worrisome.”

 But we all caused it including myself . The suit I am wearing, the  shoe and even my glasses, are not made in Nigeria and we expect the naira to strengthen against the US dollar. It is not possible.

“I read  a write up by a Nigerian advised who Christians to be reading the scripture and not the bible. I also read a piece where it was revealed that for more than  eight  years, Nigeria was spending an average of $1.5 million  to stabilise the value of naira against dollar. It was alleged that some individuals who have the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in their pockets.

“When there was dual exchange rate, they will get the money from the CBN at the official rate without any sweat and sell at the black market gaining between N300 and N400 on every dollar. Of course, we also know what happened to the issue of fuel subsidy.”

While stating that all Nigerian  leaders have a lot of work to do , Olanipekun said: “Spiritual leaders should ask question about the source of income of their followers when they bring tithes that is higher that their income. That is why I said earlier that it is not our country that is bad but we people  made the country to be bad. I believe they are the representatives of God , they have onerous task of rebuke these people who are contributing to the woes of the country.”

The Professor of Industrial Chemistry stressed the need for all stakeholders to come together to fix the country’s oil refineries.

He said: “Even though I know there would be strong resistance to it. Because some people are already making a lot of money but will that get the country right?

“Just like the issue of our electricity to our national grid, the power generating sets importers will continue to sabotage. But if we all come together and form a united front and make a pledge that this country is ours and we have had no other country, whether we ‘japa’, whether you like it or not you will sure ‘japa’ back home one day. We have heard of our people being killed abroad, even when you are holding their password, they don’t see you as one them. If they don’t make their country, will you go there?

“Many years ago, while we were in secondary school, most of our teachers were  foreigners. From Ghana, India, Bangladesh even from Europe, where are they today?

“It is not enough to be  saying UNESCO recommends a minimum of 26 per cent of GDP should be committed to education without doing what we are supposed to do, has government  been budgeting up to 10 per cent of the GDP to education? Countries like Japan, France don’t have problems, is what we sell they sell.”

Professor Akingbade in his lecture proposed rescue actions to curb the asphyxiating and undulating of science education in Nigeria saying that overcrowded nature of science classes coupled with inappropriate teaching methods and inadequate teachers in quality and quantity contribute to the undulation of science education.

He also noted that the unavailability of laboratories, equipment and instructional materials as a lag to science education, likewise home factor, difficult concept in science, students’ language proficiency and teacher morale.

He said: “Distinguished audience, this lecture titled Science Education in Nigeria: Asphyxiating but Undulating has reviewed the Conceptual Clarifications of Teaching. Learning and Science Education. It further examined the Concepts of Teacher, Teaching Effectiveness and Students Achievement in Science. Indicators of Asphyxiating were extensively discussed and the suggested Rescue Actions elaborately presented.

“It is my opinion that the recommendations of this lecture are worth trying by the concerned stakeholders in Nigeria. If teachers are adequate in quantity and they are professionally qualified, if their salaries and allowances are paid promptly and as and when due, if they don’t hop in and out of the teaching job, if they adopt appropriate teaching methods, if they have well-equipped laboratories with adequate and relevant instructional materials, if they have well-motivated students that are ready to learn and possess good understanding of the lingua franca (English); then it is believed that science education would be rescued.”