Caleb University, a model for others – Prof Osibanjo

Professor Oladele Osibanjo has stated that Caleb University, Imota, Lagos has the potential to be a model for other private universities in Nigeria to follow.

Osibanjo, a professor of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State said Caleb University was established and structured to produce tomorrow’s leaders who will be disciplined and creative.

The co-chairman of United Nations Environment Programme-Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment (UNEP-PACE) delivered the 5th Foundation Day Lecture of Caleb University entitled: “Higher Education For National Development: Role Of Universities In The 21st Century”.

The well-read and vastly travelled professor noted that Caleb University has all the potential to lead others in the country. He said the infrastructure, organisation and vision of the school positioned it in a class of its own.

“I’m glad to learn that all your courses have been fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC). That means you are doing the right thing because there are many schools that are yet to have their courses accredited,” he said.

He, however, lamented the dearth of quality teachers across the education strata. He explained that government’s inadequacies and lack of employment were sometimes responsible for this. “Today, we find graduate(s) of Chemistry teaching English because there is no job out there. A Chemistry graduate has no business teaching English and that’s why students cannot speak proper English nowadays,” he asserted.

He enjoined school proprietors, parents, guardians and teachers to shun examination misconduct because of its long-term negative effect on the students. “A nation cannot develop without quality education. With education professionals are nurtured to enhance nation-building. In the same way, education leads to efficient usage of a nation’s resources which in turn leads to nation building,” he said.

Osibanjo then lauded the Proprietor of Caleb University, Prince (Dr) Oladega Adebogun for his vision to revolutionize the education sector in Nigeria. He described Adebogun as a man with ‘class’ having established both primary and secondary schools that rank among the best in Lagos and Nigeria.

Similarly, chairman of the 5th Foundation Day Lecture, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Senior Pastor of Trinity House, expressed optimism that there would be a revamp of the dying education sector in Nigeria. “Our education sector will change soon. The problem of education in Nigeria is poor leadership, inadequate teaching staff, poor funding, poor infrastructure, cultism amongst others,” he stated.

He charged students of Caleb University to think of innovations and ideas that will impact the whole of Nigeria. “As we go through life, let us think of what we can do to make Nigeria a better place not just for one but for all. Let us banish every negative thought and limitation and proffer solutions to the problems in this country,” he said.

In his welcome remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ayodeji Olukoju, noted that the event was a commemoration of the commencement of academic activities in the university on January 21, 2008.

He mentioned that previous Foundation Day lecturers included the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Julius Okojie, OON; Professor Jacob Olupona, NNOM of Harvard University; Mr. Jonah Otunla, FCA, the Accountant General of the Federation; and Dr Oluranti Adebule, Secretary to the Lagos State Government. The Vice-Chancellor commended the God-given vision, faith, courage and commitment of the Proprietor, Dr. Oladega Adebogun, which laid the foundation of greatness for the university.

The event also had in attendance Reverend (Dr) Yinka Gbotosho, CEO of Cardvision, who was Special Guest of Honour, HRM Oba Ajibade Bakare-Agoro, Ranodu of Imota Kingdom, Principal Officers, staff and students of the university, parents and well wishers.