…as Expert enjoins Institutions to rehabilitate Offenders
By: Adebayo Adenrele, Gloria Ogbu, Hope James
The Chancellor and Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola has called on the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to pay its debts and achieve a balance economy in order to break even.
Aafe Afe Babalola made this call today during the 10th Convocation Ceremony of the Institution in Ado-Ekiti.
He recalled that Rtd. General Olusegun Obasanjo went round the Paris Club and other Creditor Countries to solicit debt forgiveness during his first two years in office as President of Nigeria.
According to him, Obasanjo was able to increase the annual budget for education to 17% of the revenue.
In his words, “The first duty of any sincere and diligent Government or any other Organisation is to pay its debts and achieve a balance Economy and break even.
“When Obasanjo took over in 1999, the first thing he did was to spend the first two years to go round the Paris Club and other Creditor Countries to beg for debt forgiveness.
“He succeeded and subsequently, he was able to increase the annual budget for education to 17% of the revenue.”
He thereby enjoined him to charge all Private individuals and affluent Persons in the country to contribute at least, N500 million each, in order to pay all or reasonable part of the debt.
The Guest Lecturer, Dr Mike Ozekhome, in his lecture titled “The Place of Education in a crisis-ridden Nigeria”, implored Institutions in the Country to adopt alternative disciplinary measures in punishing Students who violate the laid down rules of the Institution.
He noted that expulsion or suspension can’t lead to significant improvement in students’ retention and success in School.
He opined that restorative justice on rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with student victims and the community at large should be employed instead.
“Alternative disciplinary measures, rather than outright expulsion or suspension can lead to significant improvement in Student retention and success in school.
“Focusing on restorative justice as a means of conflict resolution, as opposed to sterner measures has been found effective.
“Restorative justice on rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with student victims and the community at large.”
On his part, the former President of Nigeria, Rtd. Gen Olusegun Obasanjo commended Afe Babalola for his sustainability and investment in education sector, by making impact in the lives of Students.
The occasion also has in attendance the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Reverend Felix Ajakaiye, Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, the gubernatorial candidate under the platform of Social Democratic Party, SDP in the just concluded election, Engineer Segun Oni, among others.
See pictures below:
