President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed that education remains the cornerstone of national development and the most powerful instrument for socio-economic transformation.

Mr Tinubu, represented by Kabir Bala, a former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, stated this at the 49th Convocation ceremony of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, on Saturday.

He said that education was the light that could remove poverty, ignorance and fear, stressing the need for a nation to invest in education.

According to him, his administration will continue to give priority to revitalising the education sector through reform, infrastructure renewal and enhanced access.

“We will also continue to strengthen policies and programmes that would make learning accessible, relevant and sustainable.

“We are determined to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of background, enjoys the opportunity to learn, to create and to thrive,” he stated.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, while delivering the convocation lecture, tasked the university authorities to ensure adequate management of the institution’s resources.

Mr Akpabio, who was represented by Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim, kicked against pen and paper examination, saying that the use of computers for examination would create integrity for the examination.

Also, the Chancellor, OAU, Yahaya Abubakar, appreciated the President for his commitment to education, as a tool for national transformation, which continues to inspire both policy and progress in Nigeria.

Mr Abubakar, who is the Etsu Nupe, admonished graduands to stand for excellence and innovation wherever they find themselves, and should not wait for others to create opportunities for them.

He urged them to use their skills to uplift communities, create possibilities and break barriers, urging them to be responsible citizens.

Similarly, the acting pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council, Joseph Abaagu, called for a minute of silence for the late pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council, Siyan Oyeweso.

Mr Abaagu said that the council and the university management were working to create a conducive and peaceful learning environment with no significant disruptions to the academic calendar.

He admonished the graduands to utilise the knowledge and skill gained to build their future, and to be good ambassadors of the institution.

The institution conferred honorary doctorate awards on four notable individuals – Olu Aina, Sen. Olubiyi Fadeyi, Demola Aladekomo and Adeyemi Adeniji.

 (NAN)