By Gbenga Ojikutu
A new private institution, Hillside University of Science and Technology, Okemesi-Ekiti, in Ekiti State, has been inaugurated by the National University Commission (NUC) during the week.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by stakeholders in the nation’s education sector, government representatives, religious and traditional leaders, and development partners in and outside the country.
Speaking during the ceremony, the proprietor of the university and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Olaoye Jaiyeola, said his idea behind the establishment of the institution was necessitated as a result of his commitment to the advancement of the nation’s education sector, especially in the area of science and technology.
Jayeola explained that graduates from the new university would be equipped with modern skills and technical abilities to deliver clear-cut solutions to the myriad of challenges confronting humanity and society.
The renowned economist stated that the university would catalyse the socio-economic development of the host community and the state, noting that collaboration with the government had been secured towards impacting society.
According to him, “In Ekiti here, we are a fountain of knowledge, and if we all stay in Lagos, that is why you will see an increase in migration to the cities.
So, we think about how we can build our state and how we can create an environment for jobs for our people because I want to retire and live in this town. How can I ensure that everybody here at home is doing well? That is my drive for establishing this university.
“This university will do a lot in the development of our educational system, especially in the area of science and technology and solving societal problems. We have signed a partnership with the Ekiti state government to use technology to know what is happening not only in health but also in agriculture and the rest.
“A lot of the courses that the regulatory agency has approved are not just courses but contemporary courses. Part of what we are doing is preparing our people to be able to tackle the challenges now and in the future and make them contribute to the Nigerian economy, starting from my hometown.”
On the increasing numbers of universities, especially private ones, in the country, the proprietor said, “We don’t have enough universities; that is the fact. If you look at the number of people who seek admission every year, you will find out that we don’t have enough.
“Another thing I want us to bear in mind is the fact that we have a young population, and about 70 per cent of our people are under 30.
Therefore, if you don’t spend time working on demand skills—skills that will be required—you won’t see anyone to solve our problems, and that is why I want the federal government to make our universities more entrepreneurial to prepare people for skills development for tomorrow’s job.”
The Executive Secretary of NUC, Chris Mayaki, commended the proprietor for his dedication to the advancement of education and learning in the country, adding that the commission would continue to partner with individuals and organisations that would contribute to the development of education.
Represented by the Director of Human Resources, Boniface Odum, the NUC boss maintained that the commission would continue its core mandate of ensuring improvement in the sector in line with global best practices.
He dismissed the insinuations of some people over the proliferation of universities in the country, saying, “The present number of universities can’t address our needs; we still need more universities, especially when you look at other countries in the Western world; we are still very far behind.”
On his part, the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro, expressed delight over the establishment of the institution in the state, which he said would scale up access to university education by teeming applicants.
He reiterated the government’s readiness to support the institution towards success and that the administration would remain committed to initiating policies and programmes that would attract more investment into the state across all sectors of the economy
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
