‘Nigeria Economic Recession was caused by us’- Adeleke University VC

By Abdulrofiu Agboola, Osogbo

The Vice Chancellor of Adeleke University, Ede,  Osun State, Nigeria, Prof. Dayo Alao has bemoaned the current economic recession in Nigeria.

Prof. Dayo Alao (a doyen of Journalism and Academics in Nigeria) while fielding questions from members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council at their Newspoint programme in Osogbo on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 said, “recession was caused by us.”

Bemoaning the recession, Alao said, “it is sad that Nigeria is undergoing recession. We fumbled for a very long time. We got our independence on a platter of gold. No blood was shed. This was in contrast to the situation in South Africa under the apartheid regime of Ian Smith. Many South Africans lost their lives as sacrifices to attain independence.

“We all know the role of that great nationalist, Nelson Mandela in the liberation and independence struggle in South Africa. Unfortunately, Nigeria got her independence on a platter of gold and neo-colonialists replaced the white British colonial masters that were departing our land. The new neo-colonial elites started living in the Government Reserved Areas (G.R.A.) and started behaving like colonial masters.”

He added, “It is so bad that we started to celebrate mediocrity in this country. Those in political positions, even, the Chairmen of Local Governments would be accompanied by a retinue of security with siren blown all over the place. Thus, our orientation must be changed to get it right.

“This went straight into the economy. The day that we started to enjoy the booty of crude oil, we forgot the groundnut pyramids, cotton, cocoa, oil palm, cashew, rubber, timber and other agricultural cash crops that used to form the basis of our economy before oil. We have come home to roost And the solution is to cut our clothes according to our size and our clothes..

“There are too many flamboyant cars in Nigeria today for instance. However, when you visit the villages, you will feel and see poverty written on the faces of the people living there. That is why kidnapping, armed robbery, stealing by tricks and other anti-social vices are thriving in the country.

“Recession could be addressed and well managed because God has blessed Nigeria with many arable lands, resourceful people and good weather that can guarantee all- year round farming activities. Why can’t we make each Local Government employ at least 3,000 people to cultivate different farm products? With this, Nigeria can become food basket for Africa and the world at large.

“We need not to be wasteful. Today, we have many of our leaders that are too wasteful. This can be seen in the architectural designs and buildings in our G.R.A.’s for instance.

Prof. Alao disclosed plans by Adeleke University to make agriculture a solution to the myriad of problems affecting the country including the economic recession.

He said, “we are partnering with the local farmers. We are researching into how to preserve farm products like vegetables, wall nut, bananas and other perishable items for all-year round consumption as  plans have been concluded on a network of internal consumption and export of processed farm products like Garri by the university.

The VC added further that Adeleke University is becoming the fastest growing private University in Nigeria because it is built on a tripod philosophical stand anchored on planting God in the institution as a Godless place cannot thrive.

According to the Vice Chancellor, the university is a good example of the meeting of the gown and town which are made to merge through the infusion of the experienced professionals into the faculty training

He applauded the Pro-Chancellor of the University, Dr. Deji Adeleke as he described the university which was chartered by the Federal Government through the National Universities Commission (NUC) in 2011 as “a service and calling for the proprietor.” This, he said was because ‘instead of stalking his money in Europe like Switzerland and America as many rich men in Nigeria, he has brought his money down to Ede to serve humanity.” He also said that about one-third of the students’ in the University are on the proprietor’s scholarships.

Disclosing plans by the University to commence Post Graduate programmes, Alao said that the University is expecting approval to run courses in Nursing, physiotherapy, medicine and Dentistry to complement the existing Public Health programme, saying the University is the only private University that runs full blown courses in Engineering.

Speaking on the gradual take-over of the traditional media by the new media, Alao, who had risen from a Reporter to Editor, Board Member, General Manager and Chairman of Daily Times of Nigeria before attributed the trend to change in technology.

He said the new media is fast but there is no check and balances like the traditional media, adding that the development has reduced employment of media personnel.

Alao further explained that Newspapers can be permanently be referred to as the Daily Times of Nigeria of 1926 can still be referred to.

He appealed to those in authority to accord journalists the best recognition and respect as it is done in the developed world unlike in Nigeria where security personnel unleash ill-treatment on journalists