Success Damian:
The one time Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC) made the remarks as the book review and presentation was done on Zoom, Saturday, 20 February, 2021. He made the remarks, while wrapping up the event.
The birthday boy stated that the essays, his write ups were insight into many problems facing higher education in Nigeria as well as the right mix of solutions. "It is a great pleasure having you all on board. As you honour me, God will honour you, too. I have read through the book, the chapters and I can tell you, it is a great one. It is a book for yesterday, today, tomorrow and the future. If I want to do justice to the book, I will personally take copies to the minister of Education, in Abuja and the Executive Secretary, NUC. I will tell them, these are the issues in higher education as well as the solutions", he stated
The Director, World Bank- Funded Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative and Transformative STEM (ACEITSE), LASU seized the moment to bear his mind on array of burning issues, especially from questions by media men and participants at the event.
He called on governments at all levels to fight corruption with all sense of seriousness, adding that corruption was seriously affecting the education sector.
On scrapping of external campuses, he noted that the centres had no capacity to give qualitative education as they had no libraries, poor manpower, no laboratories, no accommodations, lack of offices and more. He averred they were literarily selling certificates to their teeming students, without recourse to quality assurance.
The distinguished professor of Science and Computer Education hinted that very soon, the setting up of a Pan African Quality Assurance outfit was almost a reality. According to him, it would be the equivalent of the National Universities Commission (NUC) on the continent.
Prof. Okebukola touched on the friction between Governing Councils and Managements of some Nigerian Universities, explaining that it is always about money, which a good Management will always stand against. He exclaimed that such Governing Councils usually want free money to go into private pockets, while the University Managements with good intentions, with meagre resources always say no to such absurdity.
"On behalf of my family, I appreciate everybody for their contributions and celebrating me. God will celebrate you, too," he wrapped up.
The day was not about book presentation alone. Some associates, friends and colleagues talked glowingly about a man described as an enigma and educational colossus.
The Dean, School of Transport and Logistics, Lagos State
University ( LASU), Prof. Samuel Odewunmi said the honoree's contributions to
education can never be over emphasised, especially his achievements while he
was the Executive Secretary at NUC. He added that some of his inputs have been
modified and some sustained.
"His initiatives were great. People are always re-inventing. Institutions must sustain past efforts of those who initiated or invented things", he explained
According to the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Research, Innovation and Partnerships (ACIP), Osun State University, Prof. Tony Kola- Olusanya said "Prof. Okebukola is my teacher, my mentor and I went through his tutelage. Higher education is a basket of many issues. He was able to see those problems 30 years ago. Those problems are still there, today. We need to galvanise those problems. I am honored to be one of those who worked on the book, one of your seeds. Happy birthday sir"
Prof. Siyan Oyeweso. Historian "If you want to be a good scholar, mentor, family man, administrator, culture ambassador, strong ethics, get a copy of this book. Those are the core values Prof. Okebukola is known for. He taught me how to write good English, academic discipline, integrity and how to utilise one's time. He is a workaholic. He is a great mentor. He keeps his friends. Chairman, four Governing Councils. At Osun State University, 36 buildings, he supervised in a year. How he did that, I don't know. Thank God for your life. We will continue to celebrate your life. We pray you live to great age and live, well. Our Prof., we love you. May God continue to protect you and your life".
Prof. Juma Shabani, University of Rwanda said "I have known Prof. Okebukola for about 40 years, now. He is very efficient and we have worked together on many projects. University of Burundi is one of the best in Africa, thanks to his efforts. Peter has been very helpful, not only to Burundi, but, Africa, very helpful in Quality Assurance. We are very proud of him"
Rotimi Oyekanmi, journalist, Guardian Newspapers.
"Quality is Prof. Okebukola's name. As Acting VC, LASU, he reduced cultism to the barest minimum level. At NUC, he introduced university fair to Nigerian Universities, which engendered competition amongst Universities. He promoted scholarship. He encouraged me, education wise. I appreciate you. God will continue to bless you".
The book contained 795 pages and put together by some editors and contributors which include Provost, Anti Corruption Academy of Nigeria, Prof. Sola Akinrinade, and Dean, School of Transport and Logistics, LASU, Prof. Samuel Odewunmi.
Other contributors include Prof. Kola-Olusanya, former Assistant Director- General, UNESCO, Sir John Daniel and immediate past Vice Chancellor, LASU, Prof. 'Lanre Fagbohun.
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo wrote the foreward to
the book and the book reviewer was the immediate past Vice Chancellor,
University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka.
No comments:
Post a Comment