LAUTECH Alumni committed to societal solutions, says Global President at 16th annual lecture
pannigeriannews
5 min read
By Sunday ADEPOJU
The global President of LAUTECH Alumni Association, Hon. Solomon Onilede, has stressed that the body is known for avenues where solutions could be proffered to some societal problems peculiar not only to the institution’s host communities and members but also to the country at large through intellectual discourse and programmes.
Hon. Onilede stated this in his welcome address at the 16th Annual LAUTECH Alumni Lecture held on Thursday at LAUTECH Alumni Civic Centre, Ogbomoso where Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and his deputy, Barr. Bayo Lawal received awards of excellence.
Other awardees included the 16th annual guest lecturer, Col. James Oladipo (Rtd); the institution’s Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Omole; the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mojeed Liasu; the Registrar, Dr Kayode Ogunleye; the Librarian, Dr (Mrs) Modupe Aboyade and the bursar, Mr Abayomi Okediji.
According to Onilede, “We have so chosen this topic to allow our guest speaker who possesses great academic qualifications and administrative experience have inputs to what could seem as a clog for us in our development strives as a nation. To this end, our erudite war veteran and seasoned administrator shall be discussing on the topic: ‘Curbing insecurity in Nigeria through youths empowerment and skills acquisition.’
“It is my belief that whatever we are about to dilate here today will not end up in the cesspool of theories or body of framework as there is this rare opportunity presented to us to have our policy and decision maker in our midst today. Our main concern is to ensure that we facilitate avenues where solution could be proffered to some societal problems peculiar not only to our host communities and members but also to the country at large through intellectual discourse.
“The university has done wonderfully and commendably well in equipping our youths with requisite skills needed to drive development in any society. And this is not a case of sweet mouthing or praise-singing due to the presence of our Principal Officers here but because it is so clear and audible what products of this citadel of learning have done to mankind. The impact has been global and this is why government needs to pay more attention to the institution’s plight.”
Speaking at the event, the acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Mojeed Liasu, lauded the association for its contributions to the societal development in its programmes.
Prof. Liasu said, “I am pleased to be here to see the enthusiasm and smile on the faces of our students, alumni and staff. It is my pleasure and privilege to be the chief host of this alumni lecture of our great Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso.
“Permit me to firstly congratulate the global alumni of our institution under the leadership of Comrade Solomon Onilede on this event. I can confidently submit that the alumni association has been a trail blazer in the annals of our institution.
“The feedbacks about LAUTECH Alumni Association, both at home and in the Diaspora, from the society are highly encouraging and we are happy that you are all projecting the good image of the University in the outside world.
“The many feats by the University and Alumni, as best described, are commendable. The central aim of LAUTECH Alumni Annual Lecture is to enlighten the general public as well as the University community on the challenges bedeviling the country, especially as relating to university education with a view to proffering solutions for having a better society.
“Today’s event is a continuous contribution to the development of the University in the series of previous lectures witnessed by the University; prominent Nigerians who have made landmark achievements in their chosen professions and careers have been invited as speakers. Iam glad you have selected a topical issue for discourse and you have invited a very capable personality of cognate experience to do justice to the lecture.”
One of the heights of the event was the guest lecture delivered by the Director-General of Oyo State Joint Security Task Force (Operation Burst), Col. James Oladipo (Rtd).
In the lecture themed: “Curbing Insecurity in Nigeria Through Youths Empowerment and Skills Acquisition”, Col. Oladipo, who delved into the myriad of insecurity occurrences in Oyo State and the nation at large, noted that unemployment is one of the factors that cause high rate of insecurity, adding that there is a corollary between unemployment and insecurity.
Col. Oladipo canvassed technical, vocational education and training (TVET) as tools for curbing insecurity in the country.
According to him, “The only tool that can be used in Nigeria for addressing security challenge in Nigeria is TVET as the greatness of any nation is in the quality of its people, the worth of its governance and empowerments of its youth. The future of our country and its development depend on how we develop, empower and inspire our youths.
“It is believed that TVET will ensure peaceful coexistence among people living in society and equip youth with adequate and up-to-date skills of their chosen vocations.”
The security expert, therefore, stressed the need to strengthen collaboration between industries, vocational institutions and TVET provider in order to ensure the relevant content that meets labour needs are taught to participants.
He also recommended that the government, at all levels, should empower the youths through soft loan to enable them start their businesses as the government monitors, adding that the government is expected to create enabling socio-economic and political environment, including the provision of infrastructure to make industrial climate investment friendly.
Earlier in his speech, the chairman of the event’s organising committee, Prof. Samson Ojoawo, thanked the University community, the association, planning committee, among others, for the event.
Prof. Ojoawo, a lecturer at the Department of Civil Engineering of the institution, explained, “Firstly, I thank God almighty for making the 16th Annual Alumni Lecture of LAUTECH a reality this year in spite of the worrisome insecurity challenges of our nation; it is a divine privilege we all have to grace this occasion and we return all glory to God.
“This edition of LAUTECH Alumni annual lecture is another unique one; it is one again in the history of our great Association that such a lecture is being delivered in a hybrid version that is both physically and virtually. This, as we all know, is a resultant effect of the current situations across the globe, but which we have leveraged upon in reaching out to much wider coverage of audience as never before.
“With the application of technology, our alumni members all over the globe who hitherto would have been unable to physically grace the occasion are now joining us in this epoch-making event right from the comforts of their various offices and locations, and are active participants in this all important lecture.
“As the Planning Committee, we thank our Global Alumni Association for granting us the rare privilege of organising this event for the third uninterrupted year running.”
As part of the events, the alumni, earlier on Thursday, visited the Kersey Children’s Home (an orphanage home), Oke Babay area of Ogbomoso and donated relief materials for the use of the children.
Governor Seyi Makinde was represented by his Special Assistant on Projects Management, Comrade Oluwaseun Abiodun, who was a president of the Student Union Government (SUG) of the institution.
