By Daniel Ayantoye
The United State of America has commended the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the National Youth Service programme
The United State Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador William Stuart Symington gave the commendation while delivering his lecture at the University of Ilorin 34th convocation lectures in ilorin today.
He urged all Students to see the service as an opportunity to serve their country and Society. Added that, the National Youth Service is a service of life time.
“…National Youth Service which is really wonderful. “I want you all to see the service as not just a one year service but a life time”
According to the Ambassador Nigeria is the 7th integrated market in the world, hence the need for Students to be more creative while taking advantage of the entrepreneurship courses they have learnt during their stay in school.
“With Entreprenureship as I have learnt has been added to the curriculum of your institutions, I encourage you to take advantage by making a difference in the way you package your own product’ “… You have an advantage most people don’t have”
While fielding questions from some of the students the United State Ambassador said one of the ways to improve the Nigeria’s education system is to disrupt it.
“…just as you disrupted the landline and changed it to GSM…., “you should then disrupt the education system, to help figure out how to bring out the light of education so that those who can’t access education will be educated.
“The bottom line is that outside Nigeria, Nigerians are proud to be Nigerian and inside Nigeria, Nigerians have reasons to be proud. I believe in the partnership of Nigeria and the United State and the wonderful thing we can do together. He added
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the institution Prof. Sulyman Age Abdulkareem said the topic was choosing to address the current needs in the country.
He however appreciated the US Ambassador for honouring the invitation. Describing him as one of the most suitable for the lecture.
The 34th Convocation lecture which is centre on the topic “Citizen leadership and the link between economic and democratic good governance diversity” was attended by dignitaries within and outside the institution.