Delight Chinedum
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday reassured his administration’s commitment to the development of the education sector.
He disclosed that his government has continued to commit lots of resources to the sector in general and tertiary education in particular.
He however warned against wrong use of autonomy to derail his administration, stressing that such would not be tolerated.
Tinubu spoke in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Anambra state while commissioning the Emeka Anyaoku Institute for International Studies and Diplomacy at the institution.
He said: “Let me divert attention to the Governing Council and Management of the university.
“In recent times, we have had cause to intervene in the affairs of this university and a few others, to arrest what could be described as administrative rascalities.
“My government is commiting lots of resources to the education sector in general and tertiary education in particular. We shall not allow wrong use of autonomy to derail us.”
Describing Anyaoku as a patriotic man with commitment to values and nation building, the President commended him for promoting democracy, good governance and world peace in course of his service.
He added: “We must invest in education as greatest weapon against poverty. We’re doing so believing we have leaders like Emeka Anyaoku.
“Here is a man who helped tremendously to bring about constitutional democracy, freedom and stability.
“His patriotism is boundless. His commitment to values and Nation building is invaluable. I’m glad he’s alive.
“I’m glad my friend, the governor, Charles Soludo, his team and many of you are here to honor him, immortalize him and ensure he remains a fulcrum of our learning and intellectual development, diplomacy and success of the nation.”
The president further charged the institution management to ensure adequate maintenance of the building and its facilities.
He attributed bane of public institutions with regards to infrastructure to poor maintenance culture.
“While private funding has gifted this building to the university, the onus now lays on the university management to ensure the building is properly maintained,” he noted.
Earlier, Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Joseph Ikechebelu expressed appreciation to the President for honoring the institution with his physical presence.
Describing Tinubu as education and university friendly, Ikechebelu specifically praised him for his intervention to what he described as administrative rascality last year.
He listed some of the benefits the university had enjoyed from the federal government to include funds through TETfund, CNG buses, and other educational initiatives.
“This facility is built by contributions from friends of Anyaoku to immortalize and internalize his diplomatic activities.
We’re going on a forward tragectory and by God’s grace we’ll get to our promised land,” he stated.