Nigeria’s premier Technical University, The Technical University, Ibadan, on Monday, officially commenced operations with the orientation programme for pioneer students for the 2017/2018 academic session.
The Day One of the six-day orientation programme kicked off with a welcome address from the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ayobami Salami. The VC welcomed the students to “an institution where educational training achieves a balance between sound theoretical knowledge and practical hands-on experiences and skills in different academic disciplines as well as vocations”.
He went on to point out that “in addition to the curricular requirements, it is mandatory that all students register and obtain certification in at least two different vocations or trades relevant to their course or their wishes before graduation”.
In his goodwill message, the Director of Local Government Affairs at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Alhaji H. A Bello, who was represented by Mrs. F.G Hassan-Kukoyi, charged the students to justify the huge investment of their parents and sponsors in their education.
In his lecture, Dr. Wasiu Odufisan, an expert with vast experience in Geoscience and Education Management, made the students understand that their past achievement is history. As such, they need to focus on what will make them stand-on every day. In his lecture, Dr. Odufisan urged students to brand and define themselves; stressing that it is not just sufficient to have a degree.
“Competition is everywhere but the world will always look for a man that sells what it needs. So you need to create value. If you are not a problem solver, the world doesn’t need you. You must see every problem as an opportunity begging for creativity and solution”.
While telling the students the importance of creativity, Odufisan said “knowledge is not power. It must have its power through application”. On time use, Odufisan encouraged the students thus; “invest your 24 hours as if you paid for them. Use your time to your maximum benefit”.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela affirmed that the university will tailor the students to put their minds to better use and make them ready for competition anywhere in the world.
Honourable Toye Arulogun, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, urged the students to make good use of the opportunity they have. “You have an opportunity, don’t lose it”, he said.
Emmanuel Olorunnisola, the Head, ICT of the University, took the students through a startling lecture session on “Online Registration and Matters Arising made them understand the need to be creative as well as the many things that could be done online. He also broadened the students’ knowledge on the school’s portal as well as the interactive online community designed for students.
