Delivering the first lecture at the event, Prof. Oladele elucidated the deficiency of higher education in Nigeria, which engender the situation where students graduate from schools without being ready for the future because they lack the relevant skills to fit in. He said, “Our human capital development is not in alignment with our human capital needs. Periodically, we feed the universities with “loose end” learners who have no idea of the word
“tomorrow”. Because of this lacuna, we now have tailors, plumbers, shoemakers with B.Sc and M.Sc in a particular social science or a BA or MA in arts.”
To address this anomaly, he advocated, “We need to rebrand and rejig our courses and their titles which we must align with our catchment resources. In this era of data-driven society, no university should be delighted to turn out postgraduates without engagement destinations.”
The second speaker, Enerad Dr. Babatunde Adeboye, president of the Society of Energy Administrators in Nigeria, spoke on “Development of Energy Service Management Compliance Bill in Nigeria: The Role of the Academia in Policy Implementation.”
In his presentation, he called for support for the “Development of Energy Service Management Bill” on the basis that it would enhance the country in the area of sustainable environment, energy security, energy system integrity loss prevention and climate change mitigation. He highlighted the role of the Academia in the policy implementation to include the establishment of a centre for training and research development, establishment of a journal for the purpose and the recognition of Energy Management as a specialisation.
Speaking earlier in the programme, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, opined that universities and research institutions play key roles in shaping the future of our society, noting that collective efforts of academia, government, and industry is required to address challenges facing the nation.
Prof. Olatunji-Bello, who was represented by the Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Prof. Sunday Alawode, challenged the academia to “embrace our responsibility as scholars and researchers to engage with the broader community and work towards a renewed hope agenda that promotes social justice, equity, and sustainable development for all.”
In his address, the Honourable Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hon. Tolani Sule, who was the Chief Guest of Honour at the event, averred that through teaching, research and innovation, human capital development, policy advocacy implementation, universities can contribute to the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He recommended the strengthening of research and innovation ecosystem, promotion of industry and academic collaboration, and the enhancement of quality and relevance of education.
Host of the lecture and Dean of the Postgraduate School, Prof. Olawale Ibrahim Olateju used his welcome address to market the Postgraduate School. He showed off the achievements of the School in the last few years to include the elimination of backlogs of certificates, digitalisation of procedures in the School and the initiation of the maiden edition of the LASU Postgraduate School Journal across all disciplines.
Also, speaking at the event was Amb. Edward Olutoke, the Global President of the Global Association of Postgraduate Students (GAPOGS), the body that organised the lecture. He said the programme was organised to announce the presence of GAPOGS on the campus of LASU and bridge the gap between the gown and the town.
Attendees at the programme included members of the university management, deans, and professors from different faculties, and students of the Masters in Business Administration (MBA), and other Postgraduate programmes in the university.
