A university don, Professor Adebisi Balogun of National Universities Commission (NUC), Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, has stressed the need for more emphasis to be placed on Nigeria’s cultural and moral values in order for the country to achieve greatness.
Professor Balogun made the call, Thursday, 20 March, 2014, at the launching of a book, Essentials of Geotechnical Engineering, at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).
He posited that three elements account for the greatness of any country, namely, culture, competence and chemistry, which he called, the three Cs, emphasizing the importance of culture in moulding a better society devoid of corruption and stealing; and that most of the problems and challenges stunting our growth as a nation today were as a result of lack of sound cultural values by most people in authority.
According to him, any cultured man or woman in authority will easily know that corruption is shameful and should be avoided, adding that competence was having the required skill and ability to carry out given assignments effectively and efficiently; while chemistry is the ability of people to relate well with colleagues to achieve set goals and targets, though giving room for individual differences.
Professor Balogun, who is a former Vice-Chancellor, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), however, rated culture highest of the three Cs because, in his view, it is the foundation on which others are built to achieve greatness.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Adebiyi Daramola, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Emmanuel A. Fasakin, lauded the efforts of the editor of the 447-page book, Professor S.A. Ola and his team for their effort, and applauded the Chief Launcher at the occasion, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, for his interest in education generally.
Reviewing the book, Professor E.A. Okunade commended the authors, saying the book would be useful for both undergraduate and postgraduate students of geotechnical engineering, highlighting several advantages, namely, affordability, use of local examples, physical availability, and in conformity with Nigeria’s cultural milieu.
The high point of the event was the launching of the book, where the Chief Launcher, Chief Afe Babalola, represented by Dr. Alawiye Adams, donated the sum of one million naira.
Other dignitaries at the occasion included Maj-Gen Ishaya Bakut (rtd), who was a student of Professor S.A. Ola at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; and the Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, represented by the South-West Zonal Head of the Institute, Mr. Ohi Ojo.
Ofuafo Emovwerha
NICO SWZ.