By Ijeoma Nwankpa, Abuja.
A dogged determination to better the lot of the nation’s education sector is one area in which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been better than his predecessors in office.
This is the view of Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Sir Dr. Emeka Offor.
Offor made the submission shortly after being conferred with a honorary Doctorate degree by the Nile University of Nigeria in Abuja at the Institution’s 12th Convocation Ceremony.
Offor, who is founder and Executive Chairman of Chrome Group of Companies, backed his claim in this regard with the fact that unlike in the recent past, no strike by University lecturers had been recorded under the present administration which is indicative of the administration’s seriousness in seeing to a seamless running of the education sector.
According to him “unlike in the recent past, there has not been any industrial action for the past one year and lecturers are now being paid regularly and issues of education are now in the front burner of this government.”
Dr. Offor, who had received numerous honors including doctorate degrees from prestigious institutions for his contributions to the nation’s and international business landscape, however advised the current administration not to rest on its oars by way of more commitment to and investment in the education sector, which undoubtedly prepares the nation’s youth for real life experiences and numerous responsibilities.
Government investment in the sector, he advised, should be channelled towards better character moulding for students apart from the primary objective of learning.
While thanking the University for recognizing his professional and philanthropic efforts through his foundation, The Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, SEOF, the industrialist called on the authorities of The Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja to remain steadfast in their pursuit of excellence, acquisition of knowledge and character moulding and building as he would continue to touch lives as well as alleviate poverty to the best of his ability.
The awardee commended Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja for defending its classification as a private University as he had no doubts whatsoever in the quality of lecturers teaching in the University and graduates being turned out year after year by the ivory tower.
Also thanking the authorities of The Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja on behalf of the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, the Foundation’s Executive Vice President, Barrister Adaora Offor, said she was certain that the recognition of the efforts of the founder of her Foundation by the Abuja-based institution would prompt him to do more for the society since the gesture from the institution amounted to rewarding good with good.
Also on the 28th November, 2024 Convocation ceremony’s Honours list were prominent Nigerians including incumbent Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume and Petroleum Business Mogul, Alhaji Auwalu Abdullahi Rano.
