Oyo State governnor ‘Seyi Makinde has called on Nigerians interested in acquiring knowledge overseas to do so legally and return home after their studies to contribute their quota to the development of the country.
Governor Makinde gave the advise at the maiden International Study Abroad Forum held at the Thomas Oritsejolomi Hall, International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan today.
The governor, represented by the state’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abdulwaheed Soliu Adelabu noted that there is nothing bad if Nigerians travel overseas to study, but the knowledge acquired should be at building their society.
Governor Makinde added that Nigerians have consistently input to countries around the world’s gross domestic products,(GDPs), hinted that education stakeholders in the country should make a suitable environment for students, and lectures for better performance while scholarships, fellowships,among others should be prioritized.
While saluting the courage of the organizers for bringing the fair to Ibadan , Professor Adelabu said ” the governor wants indegenes of Oyo state to have access to education and that the barrier should be removed. That is why he is saluting the courage of the International Study Abroad Fair 2024 for bringing the program to Ibadan here
” The program is in two folds, an international conference on how to remove barriers to education in the state on one hand and doing study fair . For our teeming youths who wants to study abroad, the governor didn’t see anything bad about that, he is encouraging people in as much as they are going to seek for knowledge but what we are saying is that after acquiring the knowledge , they should come to Nigeria and contribute their quota.” ,he said
In his keynote address, the Vice Chancellor, University of Botswana, Professor Davis Norris, tasked Africans and her leaders at all levels to strengthen their educational systems at all levels saying that economies of nations are being powered by knowledge.
He said “As African nations , we know very well that economies now are powered by knowledge , that is why we talk of knowledge economies, that is why it has become critical, particularly for African countries to really spend and invest in knowledge creation, it means investing heavily in education at all levels and strengthening the capacity to do research and not just research in terms of papers that we generate for promotion but the kind research that will really solving societal problems.
The Pro -chancellor and Chaiman Governing Council Ladoke Akintola University, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Prof Deji Omole in his own address, narrated how the COVID-19 influenced education advancement through technology and emphasised the need for Nigerians abroad and others desperate to ‘japa’ to bring back the intellectual assets acquired from overseas to develop the nation.
Also in his keynote address entitled: “Lifelong Benefits of Study Abroad,” the Executive Adviser on Agribusiness and Director-General of Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), Dr Debo Akande, narrated how his ‘japa’ in his early years has aided him in performing well in his chosen career.
He noted, however, that this was possible because he returned home to put the same acquired education to use, stressing that with the turn of global events, ‘japada’ (return home) should be part of the plans for Nigerians seeking foreign education.
Meanwhile, the convener and Managing Director, TIPSEAL Education United Kingdom, Lady Tolu Eledan appealed to the government at all levels to make budgets for diasporans to encourage them to return to the country as this will strengthen “japada” system.
She said “We want to change the narrative about international education and we’re starting with Oyo state because this is home for us , we believe in the vision of the governor of the state himself who is keen on education and taking barriers out of education for all
” Our vision is that anyone who wants to travel study abroad is welcome but should have a plan, know what they wants to achieve from their international education and should have a plan to come back and enrich the society.
” Let’s go and take knowledge and expertise from international destinations where we study and bring that knowledge back to develop our country.
She implored the federal federal government to apportion budgets for research development, creating opportunities for young individuals who want to start business, and address problems in the society. It’s not something we can do alone, we need the backing of government,
” This is an advocacy call to the state, federal government to apportion budgets for diasporans to return home because when they have that backing from government, it will encourage them to start to think of coming back. We are hoping that this not only eye opening, but also a call for them to actually do something and not just talk about it ”
