Obasanjo, Education Minister, Others Extol Professor Okebukola’s Virtues As He Retires
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu and the Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abubakar Rasheed, have all commended former Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Peter Okebukola, for what they called his strong contributions to the development of African education and humanity.
Professor Okebukola is currently Chairman of Governing Council of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), as well as the Director of Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative and Transformative STEM Education at Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo.
The trio alongside many other eminent Nigerians including the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof Olanrewaju Fagbohun; immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Idowu Olayinka and the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Osogbo, Professor Sola Akinrinade, and Okebukola’s wife, who is also a lecturer, Professor Oluwatoyin Okebukola, extolled Okebukola’s virtues at a valedictory lecture and book presentation organised in his honour by LASU at the university main campus, on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event via Zoom platform, Obasanjo said Okebukola’s performance as NUC boss under his administration president was not only tremendous but distinct.
He said Okebukola is workaholic who does many things successfully all alone at the same time and that he is full of ideas that can help turn things around for better.
He said he had worked closely with him and they are still together till today, and that he strongly believed he still has many things to do for the country and humanity.
On his part, the minister of education, who joined the lecture virtually, said his ministry since he came on board had been leveraging on the wisdom and guidance of Okebukola without monetary attachment.
He said Okebukola is a true professional and his contributions to education in Nigeria and globally are greatly acknowledged.
Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof Abubakar Rasheed, who was represented at the event by Deputy Executive Secretary (Academic), NUC, Prof Rahman Yussuf, described Okebukola as a shining star in terms of global education.
He said 14 years after he (Okebukola) left NUC as an executive secretary, his legacy is yet to be equalled by any other.
He particularly noted that Okebukola is outstanding in terms of quality assurance and that NUC would continue to be proud of him.
Delivering his valedictory lecture, entitled “The final showdown: Ending a cycle with CTCA in breaking barriers to meaningful learning of science,” Professor Okebukola chronicled what transpired from 1996 when he gave his first inaugural lecture to the present that is preparing to retire from academic at 70 years.
He said though the journey was somehow rough, it was eventful and worthwhile and thanked all that contributed to his achievement.
He, however, noted that the use of indigenous knowledge would greatly help African students at all levels to do well in their studies and other endeavours.
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