Buhari tasks graduates on creativity

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged graduates of Nigerian universities to take advantage of their energy for entrepreneurship and creativity.

He assured of the federal government commitment to putting in place an enabling environment for the sustenance of entrepreneurial spirit and challenged graduates to key into the engaging opportunities.

Speaking through the Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Anwukah, during the 11th convocation ceremony of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka yesterday, Buhari described education as the fulcrum through which the socio-economic development of any society could be leveraged and assured that his administration will continue to give prime place to education.

“University education and other tiers of education should indeed go beyond the transition of knowledge and skills.

“Much as these are of pivotal importance, universities should also strive to inculcate values, tolerance, respect for the rights of others, respect for constituted authority and the rule of law and order.

“These are the values that build and hold the fabric of the society and imbue on the graduands the disposition of mind that enables them to deploy knowledge and skills acquired for the advancement of the society,” he said.

Earlier, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, said a total of 7887 graduands were produced for the 2016/2017 academic year.

Congratulating the former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, Nigeria’s former Ambassador to South Africa, Shehu Mallami and Managing Director, Mp Infrastructure, Clem Nwogbo, who were given honorary doctorate degrees, Ahaneku said the awardees distinguished themselves through their unwavering commitment to selfless service.