Ex-students of Ekiti varsity honour VC

Edward Olanipekun, vice-chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU)  has called for drastic measures for improvement of the education sector.

Olanipekun made the call at the 2019 AGM/special convention of the Ekiti State University Alumni Association held in Abuja.

The vice-chancellor, who maintained that there are multi-faceted challenges being faced by institution of higher learning in Nigeria, said with adequate funding such situations would be addressed.

“It is saddened that most state-owned universities and other institutions suffer from infrastructural deficiencies due to lack of subvention from the government,” he said.

“What the institutions raised from tuition can not meet the need of the schools has its consequential effects manifest on the academic culture and research exploit of the students including the academia and this call for reflection.”

Speaking on the theme of the convention, “EKSU Alumni Association reinventing the wheel for enduring legacies”, Idowu Olayinka, vice-chancellor, University of Ibadan, urged alumni members to always put the interest of their alma mater at heart and contribute to its development.

Olayinka emphasised that such contribution would add value to the institutions and reduce pressure from relying on government support.

In a goodwill message, Adeniyi Adebayo, minister of industry, trade & investment, urged institutions of higher learning in Nigeria to diversify and engage in profitable ventures in line with academic structure that would earn them other source of funding.

Earlier in his opening remark,  Oludotun Adetunberu, national president of the EKSU Alumni Association, corroborated the call for subvention to institution of higher learning by government.

Adetunberu also appealed to members, especially those in position of authority, to see to the development of their alma mater.

Highlights of the occasion were the investiture of Olanipekun as a “Life Member” of the association, amendment of association’s Constitution, presentation of awards to dignitaries and outstanding members of the association.

The event, which was heralded by a gala night was witnessed by government top functionaries, captain of industries and members from across the country and overseas.