Education, Port Harcourt, following his worthy contributions towards
deepening democracy in Nigeria.
The Pro- Chancellor of the University King A.M Ikuru who conducted the
investiture at the institution’s 35th/36th Convocation ceremony on
Saturday in Port Harcourt said the award was the first of its kind in the
history of the university. He further described Jonathan as a true
democrat and man of peace who was deeply committed to the growth and
development of the country.
His position was corroborated by the University orator, Prof Boma Obi who
in her commended Jonathan for handing over power to the opposition,
stressing that by that action, the former President set a new benchmark
for politicians.
In his response, Jonathan described the visit as home-coming, being a
former lecturer in the institution then known as Rivers State College of
Education, before it was upgraded to a full-fledged university.
The former President who recalled with nostalgia his days in the
institution noted that he enjoyed his as a lecturer, adding that he has
not given up on going back to teaching.
He said: “I commend the members of staff of this university for your
commitment and great roles in developing our youth. Sometimes I feel like
coming to join you again, but I don’t know if the Vice Chancellor will
consider me still qualified for the job. I sincerely would have loved to
teach for some years before the onset of the natural decline usually
associated with the infirmity of old age.”
Jonathan further said: “Let me also say that I had good job satisfaction
here, compared to all the other places I have worked. I know that the only
major challenge academic staff face is with the reward system, considering
the fact that as a nation, we are yet to get to the point where we pay our
teachers the wages they deserve.
“However, for all the hindrances teachers face, they derive a fulfilling
experience and satisfaction from the special relationship they cultivate
with their students. This is because bringing up the young ones is very
rewarding in a very distinct manner. The bond, friendship and sense of
loyalty is eternal. Even today, the way my former students regard and
relate with me is different from the way my fellow politicians relate with
me, even those I mentored.
The former President further commended the University for honouring him
and his wife, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, saying: “I want to specially thank
the Senate of the University for considering my family worthy of double
honours, to wit: the conferment of the honour of Icon of Democracy on me
and the naming of the new Automated University Library after my wife, Dame
Patience Jonathan.
“I always attach so much importance to any recognition coming from home
because I strongly believe that no Prize commands higher value than the
one given by the beneficiary’s direct constituency.”
–
Below is the full text of former President Jonathan’s speech:
GOODWILL MESSAGE BY FORMER PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA, HIS EXCELLENCY, DR.
GOODLUCK EBELE b JONATHAN, AT THE 35TH/ 36TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY OF
IGNATIUS AJURU UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, RUMUOLUMENI CAMPUS, PORT HARCOURT,
SATURDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER, 2018
I sincerely thank the Governing Council, Senate, Vice Chancellor,
Registrar and Management of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education for the
invitation to be part of this University’s 35th/36th Convocation ceremony.
2. I am in deed very delighted to be here today. I believe that
some of the lecturers and workers may understand why I feel this way. When
I got the invitation to be part of this convocation ceremony, and later
received the University Management led by the Vice Chancellor Professor
Ozo-Mekuri Ndimele, I was seized by an irresistible flush of nostalgia.
3. The reason is not far-fetched. From my employment history, beginning
from my first job after I completed secondary school to my last office as
the President of our dear country, this institution occupies a special
place in my heart. This is because it is where I served the longest,
having worked here for ten years, from 1984 to 1994.
4. That is why this visit is like home coming for me. I always recount
with joy and pride that I was once a teacher. I am proud to say that it
is this University (known then as the Rivers State College of Education,
Rumuolumeni), where I served as a Lecturer in the Department of Biology,
that gave me that identity.
5. Let me also say that I had good job satisfaction here, compared to
all the other places I have worked. I know that the only major challenge
academic staff face is with the reward system, considering the fact that
as a nation, we are yet to get to the point where we pay our teachers the
wages they deserve.
6. However, for all the hindrances teachers face, they derive a
fulfilling experience and satisfaction from the special relationship they
cultivate with their students. This is because bringing up the young ones
is very rewarding in a very distinct manner. The bond, friendship and
sense of loyalty is eternal. Even today, the way my former students regard
and relate with me is different from the way my fellow politicians relate
with me, even those I mentored.
7. I am very pleased and indeed happy that this institution has been
upgraded to a full university status. This is however not surprising
because the institution worked hard to earn that elevation. I lectured
here and knew that the standards were very high for the Nigeria
Certificate in Education (NCE) and Bachelor of Education (B.Ed)
programmes, then ran under the tutelage of the University of Ibadan.
8. I knew my provost then, Professor S. F. Amakiri, started the advocacy
for the college to be upgraded. That was before I left the institution in
1994.
9. I have to thank the Government of Rivers State for upgrading the
college to a full university in 2009 when Pastor Rosemond Dienye
Green-Osahogulu who was the provost became the Acting Vice Chancellor. She
was later confirmed as the substantive pioneer Vice Chancellor.
10. I must confess that although I am returning to a place I once
called home, this abode is no longer looking particularly familiar. This
is because so much development has taken place since I left here, over two
decades ago.
11. I look around today, and I see magnificent office and hostel
complexes as well as many amazing structures and imposing edifices.
This is remarkably different from the time I was here when we had only
very few structures, with only about three of them as storey buildings. I
am told that many of these buildings are holding modern learning
equipment, including laboratory amenities as well as state of the art
health facilities.
12. I was glad to hear from members of the University management who
visited me in Bayelsa, that some of the structures were established as a
result of my administration’s strategic programmes, support and funding
for educational institutions. I believe that if we did not do that for
this University and others across the country, as part of our programmes
to improve education and learning, our development agenda for the nation
would have been in vain. You will remember that Governor Wike was a part
of my team in this endeavour when he was my minister of education.
13. You will recall that as President, I upgraded four federal colleges
of education to full universities which I believe were qualified and
deserving of the elevation.
14. I have a strong conviction in creating opportunities and expanding
the space for the education of our children. That was why I established 12
new conventional universities and two specialized ones; the Marine
University in Delta State and the Police Academy in Kano State.
15. My administration’s support for education at all levels is
consistent with my belief that we cannot record real progress and
development as a nation if we do not robustly invest in education as a way
of developing the capacities of our human resources. We tailored our
reforms in education to focus on improving quality of learning and
expanding access.
16. Whenever leaders make substantial investments in education in any
nation, it is to ensure that the country produces the right kind of human
resources to drive its economy to the desired end. However, I believe that
learning can only be complete if it factors in the place of morals,
character and ethical values as essential qualities to be imbibed by our
graduates.
17. In a nutshell, when we prescribe quality education for our
vibrant teeming youth, as a precondition for making our nation great, it
is to be understood that it cannot be attained in isolation of other
essential values like honesty, kindness, patriotism, humility and
selflessness.
18. I always advise that while school authorities have their sights
trained on academic excellence, they should not forget to also focus on
character, this nuanced and softer side of learning that is necessary to
make university education complete and worthwhile.
19. I commend the members of staff of this university for your commitment
and great roles in developing our youth. Sometimes I feel like coming to
join you again, but I don’t know if the Vice Chancellor will consider me
still qualified for the job. I sincerely would have loved to teach for
some years before the onset of the natural decline usually associated with
the infirmity of old age.
20. For my great students especially those graduating today, I
congratulate you for your successes and express my appreciation to your
parents and guardians.
21. Whenever I have the opportunity to address our youth on convocation
ground, I always remind the graduands to remember the words of the Vice
Chancellor that they have been found “worthy in character and learning”.
This clearly shows that character is as important as learning, if not more
vital in the scheme of things.
That is why no serious university will award First Class Honours degree to
any student notorious for street fights or usually associated with
anti-social behaviour like snatching of ballot boxes during elections,
no matter how brilliant such student might have been.
22. You all should know that your image is inextricably linked with
this institution. By your conduct, you can either promote the image and
reputation of this institution or mar it. I charge you today to be the
Best Ambassadors of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education.
23. I will not end this remarks without commending the Visitor, Governor
Nyesom Wike for his good works and commitment to the growth of this
institution and learning generally in Rivers state.
24. His unusual development stride which is being talked about everywhere
in the country is no fluke. It is evident in the numerous projects that
are either completed or ongoing across the length and breadth of Rivers
State. Many people, including those of us who are ‘Port Harcourt Boys’,
are happy with Governor Wike for what he has been able to achieve within a
short time. I have personally commissioned two of the projects; one in the
main Port Harcourt City and the other outside the State Capital.
25. I also congratulate the Vice Chancellor Professor Ndimele and his
management staff for their vision and the tact with which they have
steered the University in the right direction, turning it into an
institution to beat in its class. It is one thing for a committed
government to provide the needed resources, it is another thing for those
running an institution to commit the funds to good use. Let me also thank
you for donating one of yours, Dr. Precious Gbeneol to serve in my
government as the Head of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). She did
wonderfully well.
26. In closing, I want to specially thank the Senate of the University
for considering my family worthy of double honours, to wit: the conferment
of the honour of Icon of Democracy on me and the naming of the new
Automated University Library after my wife, Dame Patience Jonathan.
27. I always attach so much importance to any recognition coming from
home because I strongly believe that no Prize commands higher value than
the one given by the beneficiary’s direct constituency.
I also congratulate my fellow awardee Pastor David Ibiyeomie who was
honoured as ‘Education Crusader’.
28. Again, thank you for inviting me to this special event.
29. I Thank you all