Stories by Martin Paul Abuja
Akwa Ibom state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has challenged Nigeian universities to place more emphasis on Information Communication and Technology (ICT) to equip graduates with requisite skills. Speaking as visitor, at the 2nd and 3rd convocation ceremonies of the Akwa Ibom State University, Obio Akpa and Ikot Akpaden, Udom said ICT would give graduates the needed skills to compete in today’s competitive workplace.
“Th e world today is driven by Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and we live in a world that is highly dependent on science and technology. Th erefore, institutions of higher learning must put emphasis on ICT development to equip our graduates with the right skills.
Th e world is changing and our university system must change in line with the currentrealities”, he said. Emmanuel said the 2nd and 3rd convocation took place simultaneously because the second one could not be held last year due accreditation issues, expressing happiness that the university management “went right back to work and got all the accreditation snafus resolved” for the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) to accredit those courses. “Let me congratulate the university and the graduating class of 2017 for having conducted themselves in ways and manner that recommended them for the award of degrees and certifi cates in various disciplines.
“I wish them the best as they take on the challenges and the excitement of building careers and businesses in the foreseeable future. I have no doubt that the quality of education you have received here, will stand you in good stead to compete with your contemporaries and in the process project the foundational tenets and vision of this great institution as its ambassadors” Emmanuel said. He also extended appreciations to the Chancellor of the University, His Royal Highness, Aljahi Najib H. Adamu, the Emir of Kazaure, chairman and members, governing board, the ViceChancellor, Professor Eno Ibanga, among others for working assiduously to ensure that the university was ranked one of the best state owned universities in the country.
“Education is an essential ingredient in the transformation of any society. We should, therefore, prepare students who would look at the world as a vast land of opportunities and think up ideas that can translate into wealth”, he added.
