Scholars recommend solutions to education woes

LAGOS—SOME of Nigeria’s leading scholars, yesterday, flayed what they described as the distortions in the country’s educational system and proffered recommendations that will reposition it. Among the suggestions offered were the revival of the boarding system in secondary institutions and the prioritisation of the teaching of values, which, they said, would bequeath enduring legacies to future generations. The scholars spoke at the public presentation of the autobiography of one of their own, Professor Ladipo Adamolekun, one of the continent’s leading scholars of public administration. He was a former Dean of the Faculty of Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University, and former lead public sector management specialist at the World Bank. The public presentation of his book, I Remember: The Autobiography of Ladipo Adamolekun, was graced by renowned academics, media executives and past public office holders, among others. Roll call Among those present at the event, which had Professor Akin Mabogunje as Chairman, were Senator Bode Olajumoke; Professor Jibola Meshida; Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka; Professor Adele Jinadu; Chief Joop Berkhout; General Manager/Editor-in-Chief Agbogidi Media Ltd., Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, and Mr. Seye Adetumibi. Mabogunje, the first President of African Geographical Union and the first African elected as a foreign associate of the United States National Academy of Sciences, lamented that the country abandoned the pursuit of excellence leading to its multifaceted challenges. He called for the right policies and urged Nigerians to be steadfast in prayers. Review While reviewing the 352-page book, Professor Jinadu, a former Director-General of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, ASCON, described Adamolekun as a distinguished academic, who, even in retirement, had continued to project the highest ideals of a true academic. He further said the book would help to guide generations, especially those that seek to operate at the highest level in their chosen professions. His words: “Adamolekun’s autobiography has some massages for all of us. His upbringing has a message for parents; his exploits as a student have a message for students. “His experiences as an accomplished academic and as a leading professional at the World Bank should provide useful guidance to those who seek to operate at the highest level of professional calling. “His description of academic standards at the University of Ibadan in the 1960s should forever shame those who have been responsible for the current academic decadence. “Significantly, I Remember, he did not insult or malign the character of another in a quest for self-promotion. “The only missing links are his philanthropic gestures known to this reviewer.” Author speaks Adamolekun, in his remarks, said: “I do not think the tradition of friendship still exists in the country today. I am still friends with the students I met in the school and some of my lecturers. “Some of the people here today are people we have been friends for over 50 years. In those days, you will have some teachers as friends. I believe if we could go back to that tradition of students and teachers being friends, the country will be better for it. “The tradition of boarding schools should be encouraged. In November last year, I was invited to deliver a lecture in Ondo State and one of the recommendations I made was that at least there should be one boarding school in each local government.” Publisher’s comments Chief Joop Berkhout, Founder of Safari Books, publishers of the autobiography, said: “Professor Adamolekun has been able to put something together that makes sense. He has put together what happened several years ago. How many of the new generation are ready to do that? “I believe you could build brand new schools for the children, but unfortunately, today they are not doing anything. I spoke with the Minister of Education over this. “We can all testify to what Professor Adamolekun has done and we are all proud of him.