The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State, Dr Samuel Adejare, the Vice Chancellor of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State and Barr Oladele, Chairman, Federal Character Commission at the maiden edition of Eminent Personality Forum organized by the Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State.
The Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators, Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State on Monday led other distinguished personalities to chart a recovery path for the country.
This opportunity to fine-tune the nation and put it back on the track of peace and economic prosperity was provided via the association's maiden edition of Eminent Personality Forum held at the Tetfund Hall of the university.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of ANUPA, TASUED, Mr Yomi Obasan said that the event was organized to also join in the national discourse of issues that are germane to building a better Nigeria.
Mr Obasan said that "As 21st century professional university administrators, our jobs have gone beyond record keeping, implementing policies and being secretaries to various committees.
"Today, we create different fora for critical thinking, reflections and dialogues on pressing issues, challenges and opportunities that allows for knowledge sharing and networking opportunities that inspire productivity and best practices".
Meanwhile the keynote speaker at the event and the acting Chairman of Federal Character Commission, Barr Kayode Oladele has said that President Tinubu remain committed to building a stabilized and prosperous nation.
Barr Oladele said that within President Tinubu's two years in office, lots of appreciable progress has been recorded in the critical sector of the country's economy with tax revenue now over N21trn.
He disclosed that though Tinubu inherited a fragile, fractured, and a nation close to collapse due to the overwhelming weight of widespread insecurity, infrastructural deficit, ballooned debt, terrible state of the economy but the President through his visionary Renewed Hope Agenda has taken very courageous steps to put the nation back on track of shared progress and prosperity
Oladele explained President Tinubu's economic reforms has began yielding fruits with "Tax revenue surging to over ₦21 trillion, while allocations to states have grown by more than 60 percent, giving governors more resources to serve their people".
The FCC Chairman spoke on "Tuning Crisis to Opportunity: The State of the Nation in Nigeria and the Way Forward".
Oladele stated that "Before President Bola Tinubu took over the reign of power in May 2023, Nigeria was in crisis. Fuel subsidies consumed over four trillion naira every year, enriching a few while starving our hospitals, schools, and infrastructure.
"The foreign exchange system was broken; multiple rates created fertile ground for corruption. Debt service consumed nearly all government revenue. Oil production had collapsed due to theft and underinvestment. Inflation was high, insecurity was widespread, and our youths were leaving in despair under the “japa” wave".
Oladele revealed that rather than being hesitant like others, the Tinubu acted boldly when he declared In his inaugural speech of May 29, 2023 of an end to oil subsidy era.
He added that this bold decision and audacity to make the policy shift by President Tinubu has helped to curb era of waste and leakages making available funds that are now being deployed to tackle the various developmental challenges confronting the country.
He explained that "On the economic front, reforms are beginning to show results. The fiscal deficit has been reduced from 5.4 percent of GDP in 2023 to 3 percent in 2024".
"Oil production, once crippled by theft and underinvestment, is now recovering, averaging about 1.5 million barrels per day.
"Housing and infrastructure are expanding. Under the Renewed Hope Housing Program, more than 10,000 new homes are under construction across 14 states and the FCT, including the landmark 3,112-unit Renewed Hope City in Abuja and major projects in all the six geopolitical zones that are creating thousands of jobs for artisans, engineers, and contractors while addressing the housing deficit".
He explained further that in the area of agriculture, ₦100 billion has been invested in fertilizer and mechanization while there is also a $1 billion mechanization partnership with Brazil to equip farmers with tractors and modern tools to boost food production, provide employment for farm workers, tractor operators, and agro-allied entrepreneurs
Oladele said that the various bold steps of Tinubu could be seen in various road infrastructural projects ongoing across the country while unlike what it used to be in the past, the security situation across the country have also improved significantly with just few isolated cases
He stated that "Though, the country is still grappling with many challenges including economic, social and security issues, yet. under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, progress is being made in critical sectors and services".
Oladele however said that to consolidate the gains recorded so far in the last two years and ensure Nigeria does not merely survive but thrives, the FG must confront the challenge of inflation and the rising cost of living.
He stated that "Nigerians must feel the benefits of reforms in their daily lives. This requires deepening local production and producing what we eat, what we wear, and what we build with. It also requires targeted support for the most vulnerable among us"
Oladele said that subsidy removal was necessary to stop waste, but its impact must be cushioned with robust social investment programmes like the conditional cash transfers, affordable transport schemes, food distribution initiatives among others
The FCC Chairman concluded that above all "the way forward is not only about policy but about building a Nigeria that works for everyone where reforms translate into food on the table, roofs over heads, jobs for youths, healthcare for families, safety in communities, and pride in our shared identity".
He has therefore called on Nigerians to further support the courageous steps of President Tinubu to fix the country adding that "If we remain united, and support the bold vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda, then the bridge we are building will carry us into a future where better days are not just ahead, but already within reach"
Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Oluwole Banjo emphasised the need to prioritize massive investment in education being the bedrock of greatness and national development of any country.
Prof Banjo however applauded the government of President Tinubu for its bold investment in the education particularly with the setting up of the Student loans to help the indigent students access higher education, the recent take over of the university by the federal government as well as the upgrading of Federal Polytechnic Ilaro to a University of Technology.
The Vice Chancellor added that while the modest achievements in education under President Tinubu deserved commendation, it must also be emphasised that education requires continuous investment in teacher development, digital infrastructure, research funding, and conducive learning environments so that the country can produce not just graduates but also globally competitive innovators and leaders.
While hailing the ongoing electoral reforms to aid good governance, Prof Banjo called for the deepening of civic education to aid people's meaningful participation in politics while their voices must always remain central to governance so that politics can truly become a tool for service rather than self-interest
The Chairman of the occasion, Dr Samuel Adejare who also doubles as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi, urged the university administrators to continue upholding the principles of excellence, integrity and quality service delivery to help build a Nigeria that we could all be proud of.
Dr Adejare hailed President Tinubu for his display of unparallel courage, vision, administrative dexterity and diligence with the different thoughtful programs such as withdrawal of petrol subsidy, introduction of Nigerian Education Loan Fund, intense infrastructural development all over the nation, the repayment of substantial part of Nigeria's World Bank loan among others.
He explained that the country is on its quick way to cover lost grounds and opportunities under President Tinubu urging Nigerians to further support the President in his determined bid to restore the nation to the path of abundance and productivity.
The Registrar of the university, Mr Oladapo Oke lauded the organiser of the programme saying that the platform provides opportunity for scholars, distinguished Nigerians and professionals to discuss critical issues affecting the country and therefore chart the way forward.
Highlight of the gathering was the presentation of awards of excellence to some distinguished Nigerians such as the Ogun State former governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, Sen Solomon Adeola fondly called Yayi representing Ogun West, Chief Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun, a businessman and philanthropist, Jagumolu Akande Omoniyi, the state Commissioner for Housing among others.
There was also panel session co-chaired by Otunba Segun Showunmi, a PDP chieftain and Convener of The Alternative Movement as well as Prof Obatunde Adetola from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye.
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