Uchechukwu Nnaike
The Vice-Chancellor of Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagoso, Prof. Christopher Odetunde, has said Nigerians going abroad for further education is not totally bad, as it would help equip people with different experiences and ideas for national growth.
He stated this on Monday while briefing journalists on activities lined up for the fifth convocation ceremony of the institution.
Odetunde also announced that business mogul, Mr. Femi Otedola has been appointed the Chancellor of the institution.
“With the number of public and private universities, there are still not enough spaces to admit all the qualified admission seekers in the country. So, those who can afford it have to go elsewhere to acquire the knowledge they desire.
“There is nothing wrong with the Japa syndrome, people who go abroad will acquire experiences that may be different from what those who stay here would have. When you cross fertilise those ideas and experiences, the country would be better for it,” he said.
On the choice of Otedola as the chancellor of the university, the VC said that Otedola has contributed immensely to the growth of the university.
“I know Mr Femi Otedola well and I know he will do the right thing. He has been of great value to the university and he has a lot of connections and he shares the vision of Augustine University to be a leading global provider of career-oriented services,” he said.
On how to help artisans with little or no formal education to be certificated along their professional lines, the VC said the university would soon start a Centre for Human Development where such persons would be trained by experts in the university and awarded certificates.
“It is not everybody that should go or can attend a university. Some people are so talented and can perform magic with their hands. In order to get a sort of guarantee for them in the eye of the public, we will train them and issue them certificates. The public would know that we are vouching for their competence by the certificate we issue them,” he explained.
The VC regretted that youths now see politics as the only means to make it in life, and called for moral regeneration in the country.
Highlighting the achievements of the university over time, Odetunde said from the 150 pioneer students, hundreds have come in with more courses introduced.
