By Violet Isek
The Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba has called for “adequate funding” of public Universities to meet up with changing trends as education is the bedrock of a successful society.
Ndoma-Egba made the call Saturday in Calabar while speaking at the 31st convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar where he, alongside others were awarded degrees.
He was speaking on behalf of those awarded honorary doctorate degrees.
And, he said the moment called for a reflection on the education sector which he said has to be remodeled and funded to meet up with changing trends.
“While today is essentially a day for celebration, celebrating our own, it is also an opportunity for us to reflect on certain issues of the moment, one of which is the state of education in our Country.
“Funding of constraints has been a major problem with education in Nigeria. Most, if not all public universities are in various stages of dilapidation. Funding of public Universities has subsequently fallen short of the 26 percent from the total national budget submitted by UNESCO.
“Now as we move into the future, education must be visionary and future oriented education in the shores of solid scientific and technological innovations.
“We must generate new skills, we must not just fund education, we must adequately fund education as education remains the bedrock, our youths must have this skills
“And to assure you haven been beneficiaries of this honorary degrees, we must contribute to make sure the university prepare our youths for the tomorrow’s world,” said the leader of the seventh Nigerian Senate.
He promised to ensure the completion of all ongoing projects of the commission in the institution.
He averred that: “I am going to assure you that it will be completed, it will be furnished and it will have set of the e-library and all NDDC projects in the University of Calabar will be completed”.
Also, Ndoma-Egba thanked the Varsity’s management for finding them worthy and deserving of honorary doctorate degrees especially for him, an alumnus of the institution.
He said that: “Personally, this is a significant moment. Unlike my very eminent honorees, I am an authentic alumnus of this great institution, an authentic Malabite.
“For me, this honor is very significant, the award by itself is a great honour. And to an alumnus, it is even moreso.”
CrossRiverWatch had earlier reported that the Varsity’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Zana Akpagu had said over 11,000 people were to be awarded first degrees, postgraduate degrees and diplomas while honorary doctorate degrees will be awarded to Ndoma-Egba, former Lagos State governor, Senator Ahmed Tinubu and the Emir of Borgu, Barr. Muhammad Sani Haliru Kitoro IV as well as a posthumous award to Late Chief Michael Archibong.
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