Elizade @10: Varsity Establishment Response to a great National need – Tunde Bakare
The Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC) and Convener of Save Nigeria Group (SNG), Pastor Tunde Bakare has described the establishment of Elizade University as a response to a great national need.
He made this remark while delivering a lecture titled “Nigeria Beyond 2023: Reversing The Human Capital Paradox” at the 10th year anniversary of the University in Ilara-Mokin on Monday.
According to Bakare, the founder of the University and his team are providing an alternative to the government universities which have been subjected to several ASUU strikes.
“By establishing Elizade University as a citadel of human development providing quality training in leadership and entrepreneurship, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo and his team have responded to an even greater need – the need to discover and develop the nation’s latent human capital for adequate deployment in the vast productive vistas of our nation.
” Therefore, as Nigerians who are determined to build a great nation, such resourcefulness must be our default response to the challenges that confront our national development aspirations.
“This urge is all the more pertinent when we consider that the proliferation and growth of private universities such as Elizade is occurring alongside the rapid decline in the quality of public education.
” As a result of the disruption in the academic calendar by frequent labour disputes in public tertiary institutions, private institutions like Elizade University, as well as foreign universities, have become the panacea for many Nigerian students. ” he said.
Bakare proposed that a compelling national vision and leadership recruitment are two key routes to the reversal of Nigeria’s human capital paradox.
Giving his remarks, the founder of the university noted that Elizade University is a product of commitment and that the University is erected to produce quality graduates. He stressed the lack of support he suffered when he was fighting to get admission into the university and how he wasn’t deterred.
“We are building an institution that will produce credible graduates. Elizade University came in because I thought it was the way Ilara-Mokin can be recognized and I think this is being fulfilled.
When I wanted to go the University, there was no one to help me, even in Ilara-Mokin. However, I thank God that this could not deter me from helping my town.
“I didn’t come from a rich family but I am proud to say that all the road you see in Ilara-Mokin was done by me. The golf course is also there. I thank God for these.
“The University is privately sponsored and I am sure our graduates will be great.” He said.
