Author Archives: Utibe Oladimeji

Kayode Oyero

Former Nigerian Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Saturday, highlighted six economic opportunities for Nigeria and other African countries as they strive to recover from the negative shocks of the pandemic.

She made this known today at the 15th Convocation of Bowen University in Iwo, Osun State.

Okonjo-Iweala, who is the leading candidate for the job of director-general of the World Trade Organisation, spoke on ‘Revisiting Africa’s Economy Post-COVID-19’.

The convocation lecturer said the impact of the pandemic on Africa’s economy has been devastating, urging African leaders to look inwards and grow capacities for their respective economies.

The former World Bank director said, “As Africa recovers from the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, it must learn from the pandemic.

“COVID-19 has highlighted the existing structural and institutional weaknesses of Africa’s economy but it has also cast a light on existing opportunities and opened up new ones. Africa must seize all these factors to re-fashion its economy and build it with more resilience.

“Let me highlight six opportunities and approaches for re-fashioning a post-COVID-19 African economy.”

According to her, increasing the industrialisation on the continent will provide more jobs for Africa’s youthful population.

“COVID-19 brought into relief Africa’s undiversified commodity-dependent economy. The lack of diversification relates to both products and sources of revenue.

“Africa must manufacture more through value-addition to the raw materials it exports. The transformation of cocoa into delicious Ivorian chocolate provides a good example.

“There is no doubt that African countries need to make the requisite investment in infrastructure, skills, and a conducive business environment,” she said.

The former Economy Minister also harped on more digitisation of economic, health, and educational activities in Africa going forward.

One of the opportunities highlighted by the pandemic is the potential of the digital economy including e-commerce, e-learning, e-health, she said.

She noted that African governments must grow the continent’s about 90 million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises through free registration, access to grants, soft loans, amongst others to ensure business owners grow and create jobs.

A post-COVID-19 African economy cannot grow unless there is continuous investment in Africa’s infrastructure, she stated, adding that investment in human development especially education and health is also key to Africa’s emergence post-pandemic.

Okonjo-Iweala added that African governments must improve governance, transparency and accountability.

“A post-COVID-19 modern African economy must be anchored on these values of open, transparent and accountable governance; governance that gives youths, women and other marginalized people increased voice,” she stated.

Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye on Saturday charged graduating students of Bowen University Iwo, Osun State to embrace hard work, integrity and Godliness to succeed in life.

Olaleye ,who spoke on behalf of the Oyo State Government at the 15th convocation ceremony of the university, stressed that hard work is key as they are going into larger society.

The commissioner however urged them not to compromise their integrity and to recognize the prime role of God in their future undertakings.

The commissioner said:”To the graduands, you just start the journey of life. Hard work, integrity and God in the affairs of man are key in life. Integrity is important. But God in the affairs of men is very important”.

While lauding the management of the university for various strides especially during the COVID-19 pandemic , Olaleye said:”Bowen University has become a model to other universities in Nigeria. I have a special affection for this university because my daughter graduated here last year”.

This is to notify staff and students that the resumption for the first semester of the 2020/2021 academic session has been scheduled as follows:

1. Fresh students are requested to resume tentatively on Monday, 30^th November, 2020. They are expected to be on campus to receive lectures physically throughout the period of the semester. In other words, they would be on campus before and after the Christmas/New Year break till the end of the semester.
2. All Electrical/Electronic and Mechatronics Engineering students are expected to resume and receive their lectures on campus for the whole semester. In other words, they would be on campus before and after the Christmas/New Year break.
3. All final year students are expected to resume on campus physically for their course registration, lectures and practicals by Monday, 9^th November, 2020. During this period, they would also be expected to write their practical examinations (Part A) before proceeding on the Christmas/New Year break.
4. Consequently, after the Christmas/ New Year break, final year students would be expected to stay at home for virtual lectures and Part B of their examinations.
5. 400 level students in Agriculture are expected to commence their one year practical on 9^th November, 2020. They are all expected to report for further briefing in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science on Monday 9^th November, 2020.
6. Medical students are to follow the date as announced by the College of Health Sciences.
7. On Monday, 9^th November, 2020; 200, 300 level students and 400 level Law students would be expected to stay at their respective homes for their course registration and virtual learning till after Christmas/New Year break. Similarly, they would be expected to resume on campus immediately after the Christmas/New Year break for further lectures and examinations physically.

Thank you.

Signed

S. A. Ilupeju

Ag. Registrar