BENIN CITY – In the bid to provide safe passage for the students, staff and members of the University of Benin community, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State says the State Government will construct a pedestrian overhead bridge at the main gate of the University of Benin. This lofty step will stem the hazard hitherto faced by students and members of the university community when crossing the highway. It could be recalled that several students have lost their lives in the course of crossing the ever-busy Benin – Lagos express way.
Speaking at the 42nd Convocation ceremony of the University of Benin, Benin City, Saturday, Governor Obaseki said, “We are very concerned about the spate of accident involving the students of this university as they cross from this campus, and the Edo State Government has decided to build a pedestrian overhead bridge to ensure the safety of the students who are crossing the road.” Obaseki urged everyone to return to old values, “I urge all of us to return to that which made us great in the past so that we can shape ourselves and our future. With respect to my government, I admit that our role is fundamental in the overall success of the Nigerian people. We will deal with all internal matters hampering proper focus on our universities. We will align our output from our tertiary institutions to our overall economic objectives. Our strategy in the coming days will be, first, to optimize the capacity of our state institutions. Secondly, we will intensively promote educational and technical training to provide our teeming youths with skills which they will put to use immediately without necessarily obtaining tertiary education.”
The Governor sued for peaceful relationship between the state government and the University of Benin community. He said, “I want to implore the staff and the authority of the University of Benin that we should forget the past. I am asking you to seek a new series of cooperation with the government of Edo State. I assure you of access, and I am open to dialogue. I want to thank you for your time, and I wish you God’s blessings.” Also speaking at the 14th Convocation ceremony of the Igbinedion University Okada, Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki called on Nigerians to embrace change and innovation which he said will engender inclusive growth.
The Governor said, “We as a country cannot continue to think and work at a level that led us to the current economic challenges and expect a solution that can turn around our fortunes. We must embrace innovation and competition. Let me therefore call on every member of this community to come up with innovative ideas capable of revolutionizing the way we think, work and live. I am pleased that that process has already started in this university. I believe one of the key strategies for returning Nigeria to the part of inclusive growth and sustainable development is to correctly reform our educational sector in such a manner as to unlock the creative and innovative potentials of our youths.”
Governor Obaseki added, “The Government of Edo State is therefore committed to reforming the educational sector of our state so as to create knowledge driven economy where Edo people and residents in Edo State can better compete globally.” The total number of graduates at the 42nd convocation of the University of Benin was 12,515 while that of the 14th convocation of the Igbinedion University Okada was 676. The ceremonies featured awards of doctorate degrees, master degrees, first degrees, diploma certificates and honorary doctorate degrees to deserving personalities.
