DELSU VC To Educationists: Prioritize Harnessing Education As Tool To Address Social Irregularities

By Patrick Ijeh

The Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, Professor Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga, has urged educationists across the nation to prioritize harnessing education as a tool to address and mitigate social irregularities. The Vice Chancellor made the call in Abraka on Thursday while declaring open the Faculty of Education’s 12th International Conference and Workshop with the theme: “Building Resilient Future – Integrating Educational Solutions for Societal Renewal.

Prof Egwunyenga pointed out that since education is a powerful force for moulding human behaviour and shaping society, all stakeholders need to continually think of ways to enhance its impact on society. He noted that education in Nigeria is constrained by a lot of challenges which he urged participants in the conference/workshop to proffer solutions to. The Vice Chancellor highlighted that the pressing need for a small university in Nigeria to require approximately two hundred million naira solely to ensure stable electricity on campus underscores the urgent necessity of exploring sustainable alternatives for long-term viability. He therefore expressed the hope that the conference will come up with ideas on how to effectively integrate distance education and technology, among others, into the school system in a way to transform learners into more productive members of society.

In a welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof (Mrs) Florence Ngozi Ugoji, said that the conference is designed to strengthen collaboration and forge connections across borders in order for stakeholders in education to explore and create educational frameworks that will not only respond to immediate societal needs, but also equip learners with the critical skills, values and mindsets required to navigate an increasingly complex modern society. She noted that since education is the foundation upon which every progressive society is built, the conference is aimed at finding ways to foster resilience in individuals, communities, societies and nations.

ALSO READ: NAIS Vice President Sets Up Girl Child Initiative To Reach Teenage Girls In Koko

Presenting the Keynote Address at the conference, Prof Adebayo David Oluwole from the University of Ibadan said that resilience is a critical component for the education sector if it hopes to make meaningful impact on society in the face of current harsh economic realities. Prof Oluwole pointed out that while government policies are important in the evolution of resilient educational system, it is necessary to understand the mental, physical, social and spiritual dimensions of resilience. He criticized the Nigerian educational system for placing excessive emphasis on cognitive learning, while neglecting the cultivation of resilience, a crucial trait needed for individuals to achieve optimal productivity in life.

A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the inaugural Full Colours Award from the Faculty of Education to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the promotion of quality functional education at Delta State University and beyond. Additionally, a Festschrift titled *The Good in the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Nigeria’s Educational System* was publicly presented in honor of the Vice Chancellor’s wife, Professor (Mrs) Ebele Joyce Egwunyenga, to commemorate her retirement as a lecturer in the Faculty of Education.

The ceremony was attended by principal officers of the university, deans of faculties, professors of education from other universities, directors of academic and non-academic units of the university, conference participants from Delta State University and beyond as well as staff and students among others