Don’t limit your learning, Oloyede counsels graduates
The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, CON, has admonished young Nigerians, especially graduates of various institutions of higher learning, not to limit their knowledge acquisition but try to always acquire more knowledge and skills.
Prof. Oloyede gave this advice last Thursday (December 14, 2023) while delivering the Convocation Lecture of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, as part of activities marking its combined 10th and 11th convocation ceremonies.
In the lecture titled “Learning, Unlearning, and Relearning -Prerequisites of the Digital Age”, Prof. Oloyede, who served as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin from 2007 to 2012, said that the importance of learning, relearning and unlearning cannot be over-emphasised.
Prof. Oloyede described knowledge and skills acquisition as the tonic that gives vitality to successful living in today’s Information Age
The JAMB Registrar said those who can learn, unlearn and relearn are those that would be successful as he explained that those who are without the mindset that accommodates the triad are bound to perpetually lament.
The award-winning scholar pointed out that we now live in an age of mobility where nothing is and should be stagnant. He added that we are in an age where we should not be swallowed by ignorance.
Prof. Oloyede, however, said that despite being in the age of digitisation and information revolution, all the ordinary people have is disinformation and information insecurity.
The former Vice Chancellor, who is also the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), implored Nigerians and most especially, the youths, to be open to opportunities, which are available for those who can think and are creative, adding that it is wrong to say opportunity come but once.
He opined that “new opportunities will emerge in the high-tech sector, and many skills that were not otherwise taught in conventional schools would be needed.
Prof. Oloyede hinted that academic qualifications would no longer be the sole guarantee of jobs, but demonstrable and practical skills.
“In this regard, there won’t be a meaningful difference between the literates and the illiterates without the cutting-edge skills that are associated with the triad-learning, unlearning, and relearning”, Prof. Oloyede noted.
The lecture was graced by many dignitaries including Principal Officers of the University of Ilorin including the Deputy Vice Chancellor(Academic) Prof. Olubunmi Abayomi Omotesho; the Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Management Services), University, Prof. Suleiman Funsho Ambali; the Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla; and the University Librarian, Dr Tunde Omopupa.
Others in attendance were Council members, Prof. AbdulRasheed Abiodun Adeoye, Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole and Prof. Ologe as well as the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ilorin Chapter, Dr Alex Akanmu.