Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday, charged the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, to deepen collaborations with research institutions in the country to align with his administration’s focus on mechanised agriculture and agro-industrial development.

The governor stated this during the 16th convocation ceremony of the institution in the Ijagun area of Ogun State.

The governor, at the event, also announced a donation of N2.5m to 85-year-old Bolaji Onafowokan for being the oldest PhD graduate of TASUED.

Governor Abiodun, who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, noted that the demand for educators and extension officers to support education initiatives in agriculture is growing, and TASUED is well-positioned to meet the needs.

“I encourage the Tai Solarin University of Education to deepen collaborations with other universities and research institutions, particularly in areas that align with our focus on mechanised agriculture and agro-industrial development.

“The demand for educators and extension officers to support these initiatives is growing, and TASUED is well-positioned to meet these needs,” he said.

The governor, at the event, announced a donation of N2.5m to 85-year-old Bolaji Onafowokan for being the oldest PhD graduate of TASUED, even as he commended the graduand for overcoming academic obstacles to achieve the feat.

The governor said: “I am proud to announce that history is being made today. Not only is TASUED graduating its first set of Doctorate students, but also the university has put Ogun State in the global reckoning as one of the Doctorate graduates, who is now officially the oldest PhD graduate in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, has come from TASUED.

“Indeed, he is the sixth oldest in the world. He has been awarded a PhD in Educational Media and Technology. This is an unprecedented milestone for the institution, for Ogun State, and for Nigeria, and it is a great personal achievement.

“Sir, we thank God for your life, good health, and sound mind that has made it possible for you to take up this challenge and overcome. Sir, you have thrown down the gauntlet for us all. In recognition of your genuine quest for knowledge, we are going to present you with a cash gift of N2.5m.”

He commended the Vice Chancellor and the management of the university for the purposeful leadership which has repositioned the institution as a force to be reckoned with in the comity of higher education.

According to the Governor, the convocation goes beyond the celebration of accomplishments, as it symbolizes the progress and the enduring impact of the school on education and society at large. He said the diversification of the school into pure arts, pure sciences, and social sciences underscored the dynamic and responsive approach to addressing societal needs, just as the 100 per cent accreditation of the institution’s programmes is a reflection of the diligence and dedication of its leadership and style, urging the school to produce graduates who are deep thinkers and innovators to solve societal problems.

Abiodun noted that since he declared an emergency in the education sector, his administration has invested heavily in providing infrastructure, curriculum development, teacher training, and student welfare, adding that this has yielded results as students from the state excel in both national and international academic competitions.

“Our groundbreaking digital platform for education revitalization has revolutionized school administration, improved access to real-time data for planning, and enhanced learning outcomes. This platform has attracted interest from other states in the country,” he said.

Prince Abiodun congratulated the graduands, saying by their achievements, they have upheld the highest standards the institution is noted for, just as their success reflects the years of sacrifice and hard work supported by their teachers and the unwavering love of their parents and guardians.

“For all the graduating students, this is not the end of your educational journey but the beginning of a lifelong commitment to learning and growth. Be proud ambassadors of TASUED, Ogun State, and Nigeria. May your path be illuminated with wisdom and purpose as you aspire for the next chapter of your life,” the governor noted.

Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the University, Prof. Rahamon Adisa Bello, in his remarks, said with the completion of their studies in the school, the graduands are bound to face challenges and obstacles, urging them to put what they have learned in the school into practice to surmount whatever challenges come their way.

Prof. Bello noted that the efforts of the university to have an independent power project were to provide access for all-time learning and research, saying that the management is working in collaboration with the private sector to provide hostel accommodation for students to reduce incidents of security breaches faced by the university community.

Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwole Banjo, said the management has embarked on the journey of transformation by adapting to a rapidly changing world while staying grounded in the mission of excellence.

He listed the installation of an Independent Power Project for 24-hour power supply, completion of the Science Laboratory Complex, completion of the university’s Health Centre extension, purchase of two new generating sets, purchase of tractors, two new 18-seater buses, and renovation of the 2006 ETF building as part of the achievements of the management.

In his convocation lecture titled “From Classroom to Cloud: Leveraging Digital Literacy for National Development,” the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said technology is imperative for Nigerian youth to embrace in order to be on par with their peers in other parts of the world, as technology is the foundation for economic growth.

He urged the graduands to use the power of technology to teach, educate, and transform society, as any society that is not technologically inclined would not make any headway in the 21st century.

The overall best graduating student, Abdulateef Adedamola Adedeji, of the Department of Mathematics Education, who had a 4.91 CGPA, in his speech on behalf of the graduating students, thanked Governor Abiodun for making education a priority in the scheme of things in the state, calling on his colleagues to brace up for the challenges ahead.

Cash awards of half a million were also given to the best graduating students in each department. (The Guardian, excluding headline)