A prominent Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Olawale Babalakin, has charged stakeholders in the education sector to ensure that Schools from post-primary to higher institutions of learning admit number of students that correspond with their available learning facilities.
Babalakin who is the National President, Government College, Ibadan Old Boys Association (GCIOBA), made the call on Wednesday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, at the 2023 Annual Reunion and Public Lecture of the Association organised by the Ondo State chapter headed by Mr. Wale Akinterinwa (Chairman) and Adeolu Akinwumi, Secretary.
He stated that any system of education that does deliver quality education is no education, saying Nigeria schools have been turned to nothing.
Babalakin stated that mass admission into schools without recourse to existing learning facilities have greatly undermined the quality of education in Nigeria.
He also lamented that indiscipline has replaced core values that Nigerians were known for in the past.
The GCIOBA president noted that any nation where only the public officeholders are the most successful people is in trouble.
According to him, “I am not against free education, but any system of education that does not deliver quality education is nothing.
Mass admission without commensurate learning facilities cannot produce good students. That’s why we have few people with skills in the country.
“We have brought indiscipline I to our lives. Any country where only people in public offices are the most successful is in trouble.
“Public office holders should be disciplined and cautious of their deeds because whatever they do percolates to the bottom.
“Developed countries created enabling environment for their citizens to thrive in their different fields of endeavours.
“Our governments should create enabling environment for our citizens to thrive.”
Delivering the lecture entitled: “Educating For Leadership: The Perspective of A GCI Old Boy,” Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu implored the audience, particularly students from secondary schools invited to the programme, to always strive to be their best in serving in whatever capacity.
He noted that there’s no streamline principles or curriculum which is taught in the classroom on how to be a good leader.
Dr. Dipeolu, who is of 1970 set of the school, identified hardwork, integrity, vision as parts of ingredients needed by anyone striving to be a good leader.
He told the audience that “Be your best wherever you find yourself. Use hardwork and integrity to be to the top.
“Commitment, participating in activities that are happening in your environment are other ways of learning to be a good leader.
“You must have vision and also try to build confidence, trust in people around you, particularly among your friends. This will transform you to a good leader.”
In his address, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who was represented by Dr. Olawumi Olawale, Special Adviser (Education) to the governor, commended GCI authority for maintaining the standard of the school in all spheres.
In his closing remark, National Social Secretary, 1991 September set, Adeolu Akinwumi, disclosed that GCIOBA is currently running their Alma Mater.
He stated that the Alumni association wanted to turn the school round through provision of learning facilities.
Among the schools in attendance are Aquinas College, Akure, Fiwasaye Girls’Grammar School, Akure and others.
