The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to ensure that Nigerians do not witness again industrial actions by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) or that of any other trade unions in the country.
He gave this position at this year’s Scientific Conference and Induction Ceremony of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Nigeria (AMSN) held in Lagos over the weekend.
15 professors in various medical fields across the country were inducted as Fellows of the Academy at the event.
The minister, as well as the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, were also conferred with the Honorary Fellow and Patron of the Academy, respectively.
Alausa underscored the importance of the country operating smooth and non-interrupted academic calendars at all levels, to the national development.
He stated, “In the history of ASUU since it came into existence, the union has been on strike for about 54 months. “That’s not an enviable record any nation wants to have.
“And I can tell you that this government is determined to eliminate strikes completely as part of the feature of our university education.
“President Bola Tinubu, in particular, as part of his Renewed Hope Agenda, doesn’t want anything that will keep students at home again when they are supposed to be in schools, studying.”
Alausa emphasised that the President had made this a priority and was very committed to making it a new narrative in the education sector; hence his administration’s various intervention initiatives in tertiary education, including the students’ loan scheme, the repositioning of TETFund, as well as the proposed education research fund, to truly lift the sector appreciably.
The minister also mentioned that the President valued human capital development so much, considering it as a strategic path to grow and develop the economy, with the education sector taking the centre stage.
“That is why he (the President) would ensure he creates every single time I requested to talk to him about ASUU and any other unions in our tertiary institutions,” he stressed, adding, “All is to quarantine the quality of graduates we are producing by making them globally competitive and also making our tertiary institutions solution-driven.”
The minister, however, commended the Academy of Medical Sciences, especially its founding fathers, who he referred to as his teachers and mentors for their strong contributions to the medical fields, economy and humanity in general.
He said he considered his honorary fellowship, which took him almost about one year to meet the strict criteria, a rare privilege, while promising to strengthen the ministry of education’s collaborations with the professional body.
He also congratulated all the inductees, including himself, on the accomplishments, urging them to intensify more evidence-based and solution-driven research and innovations in their various medical fields, saying the country and society generally are awaiting their further contributions through their expertise.
Also speaking, the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Prof Akin Abayomi, equally commended the Academy for “the incredible work being done in promoting research, professional excellence and mentorship.”
He stated, “You remind us that medicine is not just a profession, it is a calling to serve humanity with compassion and integrity.
“Here in Lagos, we are wholeheartedly committed to building a health system that prioritises people. From upgrading our general hospitals and equipping specialist centres to expand access through Lagos State’s health scheme, and enhancing our cancer screening and treatment capabilities.
“Our mission is clear- no Lagosians should deny quality healthcare due to their circumstances and we are committed to this.”
Earlier, in his address, the president of the academy, emeritus Professor Osato Giwa-Osagie, underscored the significance of the academy to Nigeria, saying it’s dedicated to promoting excellence in medical research and education, ensuring research is applied to medicine, and enhancing human health and welfare.
He noted that all the inductees are experts in their various fields and have contributed immensely to the medical science, the health sector and humanity in general.
The new inductees include Prof Taiwo Lawal, who is a surgeon and Dean of Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Ibadan; Prof Clement Azodo, a consultant periodontologist at University of Benin Teaching Hospital; Prof Titilope Adeyemo, Deputy Director, Clinical trials, College of Medicine, University of Lagos; Prof Kikelomo Kolawole, a medical consultant at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife; Prof Emmanuel Otolorin; Prof Olalekan Ayo-Yusuf; Prof Chinedum Babalola, a pharmacist; and Prof. Ganiyu Arinola, an immunologist.
Others are Prof. Maryam Aminu, who is a leading Nigerian virologist; Prof. Akinniyi Osuntoki; Prof. Kazeem Oshikoya, a physician-scientist at LASUCOM, Ikeja; Prof Samuel Olaleye, a physiologist at College of Medicine, UI; Prof. C.S. Nworu; Prof Adepitan Owosho, a dentist; and Prof Abdulrazaq Habib from Bayero University Kano
Other dignitaries and founding fathers of the academy in attendance include Prof Oladapo Ashiru, the founding president and co-pioneer of IVF treatment in sub-Saharan Africa and Dr Sonny Kuku, who is the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof Catherine Falade; Prof Joseph Ahaneku; Prof Ibrahim Yakasai, Prof (Mrs) Adeyinka Adelusi and Prof Onatolu Odukoya, and so forth.
Prof Giwa- Osagie disclosed that with the new inductees, the membership of the six- year- old academy has grown to no fewer than 100.
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