Nsukka, Nigeria – Mr. Ukandu Eme Ukandu, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstCap Limited, an indigenous investment management services, says that education is a powerful weapon to change the world positively.
Ukandu said this in Nsukka on Thursday while delivering the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) 54th Convocation Lecture, titled “Educated to Rise: From Struggle to Global Strength”.
He said that education has the potential to solve a wide range of global challenges like poverty, inequality, lack of economic opportunity, agriculture and health crises, among others.
“Education is the powerful weapon with which the world can be changed for the benefit of mankind.
“This can be done by fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, innovation as education empowers individuals and societies to address complex issues and build a more sustainable and equitable future.
“Education drives economic growth, provides individuals with the tools to participate in the workforce, innovate and contribute to a more prosperous society,” he said.
The CEO, who identified family as the bedrock of education, urged parents to always give special attention to their children’s education.
He also urged government at all levels to review the budgetary allocation to education to meet the United Nations budgetary allocation in education.
“Good education starts from the family level, as such families should inculcate the culture of reading and learning in every child so that they will grow up with it.
“It will be easier for them to explore education as well as being reproductive in life.
“On the other hand, government should inject more money into the education sector because the current education budgets across all tiers of government are below the global benchmark,” he said.
In a remark, Chief Akintola Oladejo, the Managing Director of Prestigious Home Ltd, Lagos, and the Chairman of the occasion, commended UNN for sustaining the dream of the founding fathers of the university.
“I commend the management team, staff and students of the institution on their commitment and sacrifices in sustaining the dreams and aspirations of UNN’s founding fathers,” he said.
Earlier in a remark, the Acting Vice-Chancellor (VC) of UNN, Prof. Oguejiofo Ujam, said that the convocation lecture is usually part of activities of the institution’s convocation ceremony.
“For me as an alumnus, today’s convocation lecture is very unique, because it is the first of such public lectures under my watch as acting VC.
“Although I see the event as a way of raising the torch of light of knowledge to show the way, I feel highly elated that this historic university has continued to build leaders through knowledge, which remains the main source of power globally,” he said.
The VC commended the guest lecturer (Ukandu), and described him as a visionary leader and an internationally-recognised guru in corporate and investment banking.
He said that the topic of the lecture resonates with the philosophy and motto of the UNN – “Restoring the dignity of man”.
“Our graduates, staff and students will draw a lot of knowledge from this rich lecture,” he said.
Ujam expressed appreciation to Ukandu, who was the chairman of the occasion, for honouring the university’s invitation in spite his tight schedule.
Highlighting some of his administration’s achievements in the past five months, Ujam reassured of the university’s commitment to nurturing talents, fostering innovation as well as contributing to the sustainable development of the nation and the world .
