By Kolawole Ojebisi
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday urged those at the helm in Nigeria to prioritize empowering youths to become employers of labour rather than job seekers.
Obasanjo noted that to achieve this goal the Tinubu administration must ensure the Federal Government develops a sustainable strategy for financing education in Nigeria.
The former president spoke at the 70th birthday celebration of the Vice Chancellor of Bells University, Oludele Ojediran, held at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
“President Tinubu and the Federal Government must find a means to finance education for its sustainability. Governments at all levels must also empower the youths to become providers of job opportunities,” he said.
The former president praised LAUTECH for nurturing outstanding academics and administrators, highlighting Professors Adeyemi and Ojediran as notable examples. Both had served as Vice Chancellors of Bells University at different times.
Obasanjo emphasised that he prioritised education for service over profit, reaffirming his dedication to sustaining Nigeria’s educational legacy.
Also speaking at the event, the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, lauded Obasanjo’s contributions to the development of education and agriculture in the country.
The monarch urged Ojediran to leverage his expertise in agricultural engineering to enhance Ogbomoso’s development.
Oba Olaoye further pledged to provide suitable farmland for anyone interested in agricultural ventures within Ogbomoso and its surrounding areas.
