Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Coverage and Management and former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka has known as on the federal government to undertake what he termed the “elitism of means,” drawing examples from the Indian Institutes of Expertise (IITs).
He famous that Indians are main the world’s expertise firms like Microsoft, Alphabet (Google’s guardian firm), Adobe, and IBM, and attributed this success to the inspiration laid by IITs.
He acknowledged this whereas delivering the keynote as visitor lecturer on the Third Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Lecture, a launch by his particular assistant (media), Ikechukwu Okafor stated.
“The IITs are globally famend for his or her meritocratic choice processes that domesticate world-class engineers and innovators. Nigeria should embrace this mannequin to nurture expertise, drive growth, and safe a affluent future,” he stated.
He additionally known as for the institution of a ₦100 billion endowment fund to raise Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu College (COOU) to the ranks of Africa’s main universities.
Chidoka additionally urged stakeholders to place COOU as a hub for modern options to urgent challenges equivalent to erosion, insecurity, and sustainable growth in Igboland and Nigeria at giant.
“Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu College mustn’t simply bear the identify of an excellent chief however embody his legacy by changing into a centre of excellence and innovation,” Chidoka acknowledged.
“This endowment will assure the college’s capability to foster groundbreaking analysis, present scholarships, and maintain world-class infrastructure unbiased of fluctuating budgets.”
Chidoka lamented the failure of Nigeria’s greater training to realize the rigour or international integration stage of the IITs.
“Though now we have quite a few universities and an abundance of shiny, motivated college students, our establishments lack the sources, international partnerships, and strategic focus to turn into feeder grounds for international firms or prestigious establishments, limiting the broader impression of training on societal transformation,” he stated.
Utilizing Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu’s alternative to affix the army regardless of his privileged background as a guiding metaphor, Chidoka argued, “Training just isn’t a ticket to consolation however a basis for braveness and goal.” He emphasised that training should instil values, civic accountability, and the drive to deal with societal challenges.
In her welcome tackle, the appearing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kate Omenugha, highlighted the college’s dedication to its “Three Vs” program of Values, Viability, and Visibility because the cornerstone of her administration’s imaginative and prescient for COOU.
The memorial lecture was attended by notable dignitaries, together with the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, representing the Governor; former Minister Labaran Maku, who served because the particular visitor of honour; and Prof. Greg Nwakoby, former Vice-Chancellor of COOU and chairman of the event.
Chidoka concluded with a strong problem: “Who, if not us, will construct this future? The time to behave is now.”
