Our man, EMMANUEL ADENIRAN, recently had an encounter with the former Vice Chancellor, Ekiti state University, Ado Ekiti, Professor Dipo Kolawole. He spoke on the need for the government at all levels to fund the educational sector and his life in retirement among many salient issues: Excerpts:
How have you been faring since you retired from EKSU?
Life in retirement is a very good experience but COVID-19 brought some retardation. All the plans I had to attend seminars were aborted and I could not honor the invitations. We thank God because the COVID-19 pandemic is subsiding. At retirement, you will have control of your life and time and there is the sense of fulfilment that enables you to redirect and re-invent the will of re-fulfilment. In summary, it has been a beautiful experience.
When you were at the helms of affairs at the Ekiti State University, you fought cultism to a standstill. What gave you the courage?
Well, it was God that gave me the courage. Do not forget that I spent most of my adult life in that University and I had a wonderful relationship with the students and members of staff so I understood the psychology of cultism.
I was determined that I was going to use the experience to rid the school of cultism and God gave me the grace. I appreciate God because all glory belongs to Him. Sometimes, the cultists will write to me and beg me that I was their father and I always replied them that I was not their father than to deal with them.
What are you presently engaged in after retirement to keep active?
I have retired but that doesn’t mean that I don’t partake in some things. I freelance and consult among many other things. Furthermore, I also take up teaching appointment in other institutions to keep active.
How will you assess the current state of the university (EKSU)…?
There is time and season for every individual under the earth. I did what I could do during my tenure and those who are there presently are doing what they can do. I try not to compare because there are seasons for everything. During my tenure, God gave me the ability to do my best and I hope their tenure will be better.
Looking at the current state of education in Nigeria, is there any improvement?
There is none. There is no commitment on the part of the government at all levels from the federal to the state level. There is degeneration and a nation that does not appreciate education can never have any advancement. A nation that does not appreciate the importance of education can never prosper.
Everybody is playing politics and it has eaten deep into our system. Politics has taken over everything and people are not concerned anymore about the current state of our educational institutions. Government is not encouraging anybody and I am worried about the future of Nigeria based on the fact that the Government is not investing in education. Universities are being shut down for months and they are not worried. It is very disturbing.
What do you think is the way forward sir?
The solution is very clear. Government must invest in education. Education needs investment to grow. If you don’t invest in education, your nation cannot even grow. It is when the educational sector develops that your nation can grow. Government needs to prioritize and fund the educational sector.
What is your view on the persistent rise in the number of private tertiary institutions?
That is one of the errors of the government. When I was in the government as the Special Assistant to the Minister, we regulated the number of private universities that can be established. Now, there is an astronomical increase in the number of private universities thereby undermining public universities. This is an unfortunate situation for the nation.
How will you assess President Buhari’s performance in the Educational sector?
It is horrible, terrible cum zero performance.
What contributions do you intend to make in your community concerning the state of education?
I want to improve the quality of education in my community. Education matters most to me but I do not have enough money to establish a university hence I would have sited it here in Efon Alaaye.
What is the solution to the rising spate of violence and insecurity in Nigeria?
Well, it is time for the government to rebuild the security architecture of the country. All these challenges are attestation to the failure of the government unless the government invests more in the area of security and education. If you are using two policemen to oversee Efon Alaaye, such is not enough but if you have the manpower of over hundred police officers, such can minimize insecurity within the town. What the government need to do is to get themselves together and understand the principles of governance and make things better. I will continue to pray for good government in order to make Nigeria and Ekiti state great again.
