By Ngozi Anosike
The vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku has called on Government to properly fund educational Institutions in order to eradicate most corrupt practices in the educational system.
He said this while fielding questions from journalists after the convocation lecture, noting that adequate funding will curb most corrupt practices like grade for money or grade for sex in the system.
He recommended that instead of establishing more Educational Institutions, Government should fund the existing ones so that there will be adequate facilities for teaching and research purposes.
Prof Onuchuku further advised lecturers to conduct researches that will not only enable them to attain the rank of professors but would solve the problems of the society and create value for the economy to grow.
He commended the convocation lecturer, Prof. Nlerum Okogbule for a well-articulated and insightful presentation, describing the lecture as not only timely but relevant to the challenges facing Nigeria’s higher education sector.
Delivering his lecture, titled “Restructuring Tertiary Education for Sustainable Development”, Prof Nlerum Okogbule, called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s tertiary education system to promote sustainable and national development.
The former Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University also pointed out key issues such as under-funding, policy inconsistencies, over-regulation, and the commercialization of education as major factors contributing to the declining standards in the system.
On his part, the Pro-Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Hon. Chinyere Igwe affirmed that there need for urgent reforms as well as development of policies and programs in Nigeria’s educational system. The ceremony which was part of the activities organised to mark the 44th convocation ceremony of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education also featured the presentation of awards to key recipients in recognition of their dedication, service, and impactful contributions toward the academic and administrative advancement of the university.
