Unizik 10th Convocation: Prof Okojie extols Zik’s virtues-----Calls for review of catchment areas in universities admission

www.odogwublog.com reports that Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC)  Prof. Julius Okojie yesterday lauded the virtues of the  first Civilian President of Nigeria, late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe describing him as “a Selfless, Visionary, National Hero and Pioneer  Education Advocate”
Okogie who spoke as a guest lecturer as part of activities marking the 10th Convocation ceremonies of Nnamdi Azikiwe University , Awka said Nigerians should emulate the detribalized nature of the Great Zik whom the university was named after and other founding fathers of Nigeria like Awolowo and Ahmadu Bello.
The NUC Executive Secretary noted that Zik as the Founder of University of Nigeria, Nsukka the University would have been cited in Onitsha his home town instead of Nsukka while Obafemi Awolowo University would  have been sited at Ikenne or Ijebu Ode instead of Ife likewise Ahmadu Bello University located in Zaria instead of the founder’s hometown.
He criticized a situation where every serving state governor may try to locate universities in their home town while the successor also tries to relocate or cancel such institutions to please his own people too.
Speaking on the topic : Education: Agent of Change for National Renaissance  and Development” Okogie identified weak institutions, attitudinal issues , inadequate investment in basic education, the three tiers of government not working according to constitutional provisions, infrastructural decay , industrial unrest , unstable academic calendars among others among the problems militating against educational development in Nigeria.
On catchment area method in university admissions, he called on universities to adopt a Can-DO- Attitude and set realistic timelines towards achieving set goals. He said to achieve success in the education sector; there is need for a renewal of National Consciousness and National Reorientation.
Earlier in an address, the Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku said it is not without reason that convocation ceremonies start with convocation lectures.
Ahaeneku noted that act of conferment of degrees is largely ceremonial but the lecture is the hard core academic flavor to what could have been reduced to a convivial event hence the need to pick topics germane to the challenges of the society and to select appropriate resource persons as guest lecturers.
 From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Awka