By Adeleke Gbenga
A University don and senior lecturer at the Department of Computer Science, University of Ilorin, Dr. A.O. Babatunde has charged Nigerian youths to strive for excellence amidst hopelessness that pervades Nigeria.
He admonished them not allow Nigeria’s conditions to dampen their morale.
Dr. Babatunde made this charge recently in Ilorin Kwara State at a book launch written by Prince Adewale Johnson Emmanuel Taiwo titled ”An Account of a Greatful Heart” to mark his golden jubilee anniversary.
The University lecturer lamented the present Nigerian conditions, reiterating that it frustrates youths’ efforts and hope.
He attributed it as root cause of ”japa” syndrome that is currently on the rise among younger generations.
The scholar exhorted the youths to emulate Prince Adewale Johnson Emmanuel Taiwo who decided to stay in Nigeria to weather the storm against all odds.
He advised the youths to devise survival skills and strategies that would enable them to ride the waves of the current storms and tough times.
The Associate Professor and former Dean of the Department of Computer Science inspired the youths to be tough and brave against all odds, stressing in his lecture that ”tough time never last but tough people do”
He challenged them to be streetwise like Prince Adewale Johnson Emmanuel Taiwo who took to the streets to eke out livings when it was tough and difficult for him.
He told them to shift their minds away from certificates, reiterating that skills acquisition after schools in Nigeria has become a necessary prerequisite to have gainful employment.
He specifically exhorted the youths to turn to the blue collar jobs stressing that white collar jobs which the Nigerian education systems train and prepare the youths for are no longer in existence. He charged them to explore the alternatives in other sectors of economy such as entrepreneurship, vocational skills, farming among others.
He cited the celebrant as an embodiment of resilience, hardwork, enterprising and lover of education.
Despite his level of education, Prince Adewale Johnson Emmanuel Taiwo do many odd jobs to keep body and soul together, according to Dr. A.O Babatunde.
The celebrant who was celebrating his 50years used the occasion to write his autobiography to serve as lessons for the youths.
He had First degree in Computer Science, Master degree also in Computer Science and was pursuing his P. HD in Computer Science before he abandoned it due to financial constraints.
He took to trading and other menial works to eke his livelihoods.
In his remarks, Prince Adewale Johnson Emmanuel Taiwo who was visibly elated and flanked right and left by families, friends and well-wishers lamented about Nigerian state of economy and unemployment among youths and young school leavers.
He stressed that he was little surprised that large number of youths are willing to emigrate from Nigeria at the slightest opportunity.
This is otherwise known as ”japa” in local parlance according to him, challenging the youths to be creative and self reliant.
He stressed that there are abundant opportunities to tap in Nigeria, charging them to use their education and skills to turn their lives around for better.
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of the book he put together to mark his 50years.
