President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has tasked the organized private sector to collaborate with researchers across Nigerian institutions to develop homegrown solutions to the myriad of socio-economic and political challenges confronting the country.

The President, who is the visitor at the 34th and 35th combined convocation ceremonies of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), stated that for Nigeria to unlock its full potential, the country must develop its own homegrown solutions.

According to him, specialized and conventional universities, along with other research institutes, were established as solution providers and problem solvers. He called for closer collaboration to tackle the challenges Nigeria is facing.

The President noted that partnerships among stakeholders are critical to problem-solving and development, maintaining that the challenges facing the country require homegrown solutions.

He said, ?The specialized and conventional universities, research institutes, and other tertiary institutions in our country were established as solution providers and problem solvers for all our local and national problems. Our tertiary and research institutions are much more relevant at this time.

?The present economic situation in our country requires our institutions to join our efforts toward giving a better life to our people and making for ourselves a prosperous nation.

?The government is expecting homegrown solutions to our common problems. I encourage all our researchers to bring up their research outputs that will improve the well-being of our people.

?Let me at this juncture call on the organized private sector to collaborate with our research institutions to develop and replicate our research outputs for the benefit of our citizens and the improvement of the economy.

?Let us intensify the training of our students, especially for enterprise, and together, we shall move our nation forward.

?As you are all aware, we took the baton of authority at a time when our economy was nose-diving as a result of heavy debts from fuel and dollar subsidies. The subsidies were meant to support the poor and make life better for all Nigerians.

?We are all aware of the fact that the poor and average Nigerians were the sufferers of what was supposed to give them succor and an improved standard of living.

?Unfortunately, the good life we thought we were living was a fake one that was capable of leading the country to a total collapse unless drastic efforts were urgently taken.

?The need to salvage the future of our children and bring the country back from the brink of collapse necessitated the strategic decisions to remove the fuel subsidy and unify the exchange rates,? he said.

He assured that, ?I am not unaware of the consequences of these tough decisions on our people. I sincerely wish there could be softer options.

?It is in light of the foregoing that I am glad to inform you that the results of the policies are already yielding the expected outcomes.

?The macro-economy of our dear country is improving by the day and beyond expectations. The micro-economy, which directly affects our citizens, is also taking shape gradually with positive results.

?We are now graduating from a consumption-based economy to a production-based economy in every facet of our human endeavors. By the grace of the Almighty God, every household will experience a better life and have brighter hope for the future.

?I, therefore, crave our people?s understanding and support at this time. We are open to criticisms and admiration. We hold the power on your behalf and are in office because of you. We listen and attend to the yearnings of our people. Our aim is to create an environment where every Nigerian matters.

?We are working hard to ensure the safety of every Nigerian in every part of the country. Our security architecture is up to the task, and the ugly narratives of the past are changing for good. Also, we are not relenting in our pursuit of making our country a haven of prosperity for all,? he said.

He, however, called on the graduating students and Nigerians to join hands in recovering the nation?s lost glory and virtues.

He noted that, ?Many Nigerian youths have chosen the supposed easy option of emigrating to the proverbial greener pastures, where citizens had rolled up their sleeves to bring their nations back from the brink in their times of trouble.

?Such inclination has led to the brain drain syndrome that we now experience in all areas of our endeavors as a nation. The present challenges call for a high degree of patriotism, and I can assure all Nigerians that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

?After the rain, comes sunshine. The brighter days are almost here. The Renewed Hope Agenda is on track, and we shall not deviate from the path of a better and greater Nigeria.

?The student loan fund is being executed without a hitch, as well as other humanitarian projects that we have embarked upon since this administration came on board.

?Our policies are geared towards ameliorating the hardship in the land, and with God by our side and the citizens? support, we shall soon push the hardship behind us for enduring prosperity,? he emphasised.

The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, commended the institution for championing academic excellence in Nigeria and beyond.

The Governor congratulated the graduands, commending their perseverance and dedication, which culminated in their academic success. He lauded FUTA?s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, and the university management for their exceptional contributions to education, research, and technological innovation.

?You have transformed FUTA into a world-class institution with groundbreaking achievements. The caliber of graduates this university consistently produces is a testament to your resilience and commitment to excellence,? he said.

The Governor urged the graduands to be exemplary ambassadors of the institution by upholding the virtues of integrity, hard work, and resilience. He reminded them of the competitive nature of the global landscape and encouraged them to use their knowledge and skills to positively impact society and their communities.

He assured the university community of continued collaboration and an enabling environment to promote academic development and innovation.

?In the years ahead, we shall continue to look forward to the university community for all-round collaboration in the onerous task of building a more virile and prosperous Ondo State.

?On our part as a government, we urge you to count on our administration to continue to provide an enabling atmosphere required for flourishing academic development, innovation, enterprise, and knowledge.

?We share a collective vision and mission toward nation-building in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,? he added.

In her welcome address, the VC, Professor Oladiji, emphasized that the institution remains committed to fostering excellence in education, research, and innovation.

She congratulated the graduands, describing them as the pride of FUTA. She commended their hard work, dedication, and resilience, which have led to their academic achievements.

Oladiji, who highlighted FUTA?s ongoing commitment to its mission of advancing education through innovation in science, technology, and engineering, thanked the Ondo State Government for its continuous support for education.

During the event, the university conferred postgraduate diplomas, Master?s, and Doctoral degrees on 1,280 graduands: PGD (344), Master?s (756), and Ph.D. (180).

She disclosed that the institution produced no fewer than 6,500 undergraduates, with 519 students achieving first-class honors degrees, 3,408 second-class upper, 2,139 second-class lower, and 339 in the third-class division. (Nigerian Tribune)

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