OAU:"We are yet to develop as a nation..." says CDL deputy director

The Deputy Director, Centre for Distance Learning, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Dr. O. O. Akinwunmi shared his thought with the students of the institution on the role of students in nation building at Amphitheater of the University 

   University's Senate Building

The varsity don said, all citizens are involved in nation building, hence the involvement of students in national development  is a must because they are the leaders of tomorrow, but partners of today who are the most powerful social actors of change and progress.

He further explained that, educated elites will always tend to be responsive citizens, so students are youths who have energy, vigour, and enthusiasm to get things done with a high quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity and insatiable appetite for progressive reasoning.

He said "In today's world; skill, productivity and competitiveness are the determinant factors of of national greatness. This means the wealth of the nation is not based on the wealth of the its rulers, but on the creative genius, productivity and industry of its citizens. However, a disciplined, intelligent, and creative students community can show the world their country's ability to develop and their desire to achieve nothing but the best. What students learn at their educational institutes today will be used to transform the nation building".

Dr. Akinwunmi said, the qualities of tomorrow's leaders lie in the character of today's followers. He admonished them not to emulate bad examples of political leaders as evident in the violence and fraud that characterizes students' union elections and embezzlement in youth forums.

Cross section of the students

He also enjoined the students to see themselves as agents of change and positive change must start with them, purging and cleansing themselves of all qualities inimical to national development.

He concluded saying "weThe Deputy Director, Centre for Distance Learning, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Dr. O. O. Akinwunmi shared his thought with the students of the institution on the role of students in nation building at Amphitheater of the University on 11th of May, 2017.

The varsity don said, all citizens are involved in nation building, hence the involvement of students in national development  is a must because they are the leaders of tomorrow, but partners of today who are the most powerful social actors of change and progress.

He further explained that, educated elites will always tend to be responsive citizens, so students are youths who have energy, vigour, and enthusiasm to get things done with a high quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity and insatiable appetite for progressive reasoning.

He said "In today's world; skill, productivity and competitiveness are the determinant factors of of national greatness. This means the wealth of the nation is not based on the wealth of the its rulers, but on the creative genius, productivity and industry of its citizens. However, a disciplined, intelligent, and creative students community can show the world their country's ability to develop and their desire to achieve nothing but the best. What students learn at their educational institutes today will be used to transform the nation building".

Dr. Akinwunmi said, the qualities of tomorrow's leaders lie in the character of today's followers. He admonished them not to emulate bad examples of political leaders as evident in the violence and fraud that characterizes students' union elections and embezzlement in youth forums.

He also enjoined the students to see themselves as agents of change and positive change must start with them, purging and cleansing themselves of all qualities inimical to national development.

He concluded saying "we are yet to develop as a nation, we too can become a highly developed nation like America, England, and Germany, but only if you, our students contribute your quota to the development of our great nation. Nations are built by youths who have the will and vision to accomplish greatness, not for themselves or their immediate families and friends, but for their nation". are yet to develop as a nation, we too can become a highly developed nation like America, England, and Germany, but only if you, our students contribute your quota to the development of our great nation. Nations are built by youths who have the will and vision to accomplish greatness, not for themselves or their immediate families and friends, but for their nation".