Education Incomplete Without Skill Acquisition -Akeredolu

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, has emphasized the need for Universities and other tertiary institutions to prioritize skill acquisitions alongside the acquisition of certificates.

The Governor said the practice of acquiring certificates without the skills and knowledge to solve problems cannot be equated with capacity.

Arakunrin Akeredolu, who delivered the 20th Founders’ Day Anniversary Lecture of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, on Wednesday, said the acquisition of certificates should be evident in the capacity to engage challenges and break new grounds to accommodate the inherent dynamism in human affairs.

The Governor, who lamented the embarrassing presence of a multitude of unemployed youths in the polity, called for an urgent review of the current practices.

While pointing out the errors that is often made, Akeredolu said the society usually mistake being lettered to be the sole purpose of education, adding that the ability to read and write only opens doors for opportunities.

He said: ”Proficiency in an official language of the State confirms elitism, not capacity. Being knowledgeable in specific areas of knowledge is an advantage. The needs of a society should be emphasized in a curriculum of training.

”A properly trained citizen is an asset to the community. An untrained compatriot is a perennial burden. A system of instruction must be purposeful; it must be designed to achieve an end. Acquisition of knowledge confers potential ability status on a people. Its application actualizes dreams and prevents untoward occurrences.”

Governor Akeredolu said universities in Nigeria will only contribute meaningfully to the development of the country if there is a remarkable change in attitude.

”Our universities must redirect their energies to peculiar areas of research, which will be beneficial to the environment. Until this is done, the tragic joke continues,” Akeredolu said.

While congratulating the graduating students, the Governor asked them to consider the acquisition of their certificates as basic, saying that they need to acquire new skills to survive at this current period.

He saluted the vision of late Pa Adebayo Adefarati for establishing the university, adding that the state must ensure that the noble idea continues to grow.

” I am not oblivious of the significant strides already made by this great institution. I must, however, nudge you not to be complacent. The fact that our products look up to government as the main employer of labour in the type of economy we practise shows that we still have a very long way to cover before arriving at the desired destination,” the Governor concluded.

Olabode Richard Olatunde
Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
December 4, 2019.