Oshiomhole: Why we established Edo Varsity, Iyahmo

GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of
Edo State at the First Public Lecture Series
of Edo University, Iyahmo, Etsako West
Local Government Area, gave reasons why
his administration established the
university, saying the people of Edo North,
with the second largest population in the
state, deserved a state university to help the
educational needs of the people.
This came as the guest lecturer and
President of Nigeria Society of Engineers,
NSE, Engr Otis Anyaeji, who lauded the
establishment of the university, however
expressed worries over cases of defects in
engineering works and practices in Nigeria.
According to him, NSE had as a result,
advocated that the practice of engineering
should be chartered like several other
professions to achieve professional conduct.
Speaking at the event, Oshiomhole, who was
represented by his chief of staff, Patrick
Obahiagbon, said: “This university was set
up because education is the best tool to kill
poverty and apart from that the people of
Edo North needed a university that will help
solve the educational needs of the people.
We are glad that with the support of the
Vice Chancellor and his team this university
is today a reality.
“There is no doubt that this is one of the
laudable achievements of the administration
of Governor Oshiomhole who has so much
passion for education because of his strong
belief that we cannot fight poverty without
providing sound education for our children.
So, we thank God that today, we have been
able to provide structures and conducive
learning environment that has made our
dream a reality.”
The guest lecturer, Engr Anyaeji, in his
lecture entitled, Engineering Education,
Regulation and Practice , stressed the need
to entrench professionalism in the profession
with the right curriculum in schools.
He said: “Nigerian Engineers have now
realised that if they had opted for a charter
status for the engineering profession in
1970, the funding burden by government
would have been averted and the situation
where those who pay the piper dictate the
tune would have been prevented as
government will only be obliged to provide
subventions.”