NUC executive secretary says the illegal institutions award certificates. He says. this is what makes the matter worse.
Dele Moses, Ilorin
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has said that it has discovered illegal universities, satellite campuses and centres in the country to be 67 in number.
Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, stated this while speaking at the 11th convocation ceremonies of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin.
Rasheed said all the alleged illegal institutions award certificates and described this as what makes the matter worse.
He however said that the NUC is tackling the situation headlong to discourage the illegality and ensure reputation of tertiary education in the county is not damaged.
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“The commission is taking concrete steps through inter-agencies collaboration to tackle the untoward development headlong, especially by mass sensitisation of unsuspecting patrons through periodic publication list of such ‘Degree Mills’ “, he stated.
The NUC boss called for concerted effort of all stakeholders to check dwindling standard of education so that the development of the the country is not drawn back.
He said: “The New Nigeria project is a task that must be accomplished by all. We all have a role in shaping the future of our dear country. So, no sacrifice will be too much to salvage the palpable nosedive of our education system. We are are all stakeholders in the scheme of selfless commitment to producing competent and resourceful manpower that will drive the much desired development in all strata of the Nigerian life.”
Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor of the Al-Hikmah University who is a former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, said the security challenge in the country was a creation of all the people of the country and submitted that there is the need for the people to all get involved in the efforts to get rid of the challenge if the country is to get over the crisis.
He stated: “At present, the overarching topical issue is the one that borders on security challenges. We are where we are today as a direct consequence of our actions and inactions Although the government , especially at the centre, is doing its best to tackle the problem, we all must stand up to confront the monster together.
“From the community to the state and national levels, we need to change our mindset. The restoration of peace and security remains a non-negotiable responsibility that must be borne by all. Far from just paying lip-service discussing the problem, we all need to assiduously work to walk the talk.”
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Noah Yusuf, congratulated the 1,079 students that graduated at various levels at the convocation but advised them to be ready for the task ahead and not to see their graduation as end of learning and life struggle.
“Learning is a life-long career, and the essence of learning is practical application of knowledge to adjust favourably to real-life episodes. Your graduation does not mean you have landed in El Dorado where you automatically start harvesting the treasures of life.
“Your graduation is a launcher to a new begining; it is indeed a visa to a new phase of life; a pass to proceed the next level of tenacious struggle; a permit to operate at a level where you prove your worth and what you are worth,” he stated.
