Support universities to become engines of development, not factories of certificates, Arch Bishop Amaga

The founder of Salem University, Lokoja, Arch Bishop Sam Amaga has urged leaders in the country to intensify support for education to become engines of development, not mere factories of Certificates. Arch Bishop Amaga disclosed this in his address on Friday at the 7th convocation ceremony of the institution in Lokoja. The chancellor of the […]

The founder of Salem University, Lokoja, Arch Bishop Sam Amaga has urged leaders in the country to intensify support for education to become engines of development, not mere factories of Certificates.

Arch Bishop Amaga disclosed this in his address on Friday at the 7th convocation ceremony of the institution in Lokoja.

The chancellor of the institution stressed that the federal and state governments,in particular, should invest in innovation, funding research and empowering universities to play vital role in the nation building.

He said the institution has put in place machines and machineries to produce change agents and global leaders to rebuild nations, besides expressing their potentials fully.

The chancellor said: “We have a divine mandate to raise change agents and to recreate people who will rebuild nations by challenging the status quo and pushing boundaries to new frontiers of development and civilization.

“Out of our global change agents, global academic and research influencers are rising up. They are discipled, they have the right attitude, they will create notable impact in their generation.

“They have been trained in knowledge, discipline, and godliness. We do not consider them as ordinary graduates but Change Agents, empowered and endowed to transform their spheres of influence”,

“We consider them as our special breed of thinkers, innovators and leaders that Nigeria and indeed the world, desperately needs.

“The expertise and experience that they have gained in the course of their passage through the halls, walls and entire environment of this great institution prepare them for greater challenge ahead”.

Bishop Amaga noted that the citadel of learning will continue to collaborate with strategic partners and stakeholders for Peace and learning, love and harmony to flourish.

While Bishop Amaga admonished the graduands not to allow the pressures of the world to redefine their values, he said they should rely on their faith to define their future.

“You have been prepared to step out and make your mark. Where others see problems, you Should see opportunities. Where others fear, you should stand in faith. Where others quit, you should stay steadfast, firmly on your feet and from that vantage position secured for yourself

“We are sending you out today to be creative, resourceful , productive and resilience, not to be jack of all trade; for the future belongs to the people who have studied, developed and pursue these habits”,

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Alewo Johnson Akubo says the institution has grown from a dream into a flourishing citadel of learning, shaping destinies and redefining moral education in the country.

He stated that the university has made remarkable progress in infrastructural development,including the upgrading of existing facilities for clean and comfortable learning environment conducive for quality exchange of knowledge.

“We recently received approval to commence the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme, which admission has commenced in the institution.

“This college now houses the Departments of Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Human Anatomy, and Physiology, all equipped with modern laboratories and learning facilities that meet global standards.

“We have also secured full approval and commenced admission into our Postgraduate Diploma, Masters, and Doctoral (Ph.D.) programs in various programmes , such as Biochemistry, Mass Communication, Law, International Relations, and others.

In his remarks, governor Usman Ahmed Ododo commended the management of the institution for discipline and provision of quality education in various disciplines for all.

Governor Ododo who was represented by the state commissioner of Education , Wemi Jones expressed his administration readiness to collaborate with the institution on education to to end banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

“The state align with the saying, ‘a gun can kill a terrorist, but education can end terrorism’, The government will align with the institution over education to end terrorism. The state has devoted 30 percent of its fund to develop education, pursuing it with vigour it deserves”, he said.

Justice Adah , a Supreme Court Judge and Chief Ogwu Onoja, SAN. were honoured with Doctorate Degree of law for their exceptional contributions to justice, leadership, and humanity.

A total of 168 students, including four first-class graduands who were certified in both learning and character were awarded with degree in various disciplines at the 7th Convocation Ceremony on Friday at the campus if the institution.