Vice-Chancellor, College of Chaplaincy & Social Sciences, Nigeria, Prof. Faith Nana, has called on the Federal Government to grant more licenses to online educational institutions to enhance access to education across the country.
Nana made the appeal while delivering his welcome address during the college’s sixth convocation ceremony on Thursday in Ota.
The college, an affiliate of African American University, Porto-Novo, accredited by American Council of Training & Development, operates all its courses through online learning.
During the 2023/2024 academic session, the college will graduate 55 students across Advanced Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D programmes.
Nana highlighted the global shift toward online education, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which demonstrated the feasibility of online learning.
He emphasised that public and private institutions in Nigeria had increasingly adopted online education.
“I appeal to the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, to establish modalities with simpler requirements for more online institutions to gain approval,” Nana said.
He also urged the government to empower newly approved institutions to gradually roll out degree programmes, starting with a single programmes and expanding over time.
“The country needs more institutions like MIVA Open University to address the challenges of educational accessibility,” he added.
The vice-chancellor stressed that approving new online institutions would significantly strengthen the nation’s educational system.
In her remarks, Prof. Kehinde Osoba, newly inaugurated as the first honourary chancellor of the college, expressed her gratitude and commitment to the college’s growth.
“I accept this responsibility as a demonstration of my dedication to the development of humanity,” she said.
Osoba pledged to prioritise the completion of ongoing projects and infrastructural developments at the college.
She also promised to develop and implement a strategic action plan while fostering relationships with relevant stakeholders.
The event featured the induction of the 55 graduates into the Alumni Association and the inauguration of Osoba as the college’s first chancellor.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convocation ceremony celebrated the college’s continued dedication to delivering quality online education and its contribution to expanding access to higher learning in Nigeria.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
INAUGURAL SPEECH OF THE FIRST HONORARY CHANCELLOR, REV. PROF. OSOBA KEHINDE ADEBISI @ HER INAUGURAL SESSION & 2024 COLLEGE CONVOCATION & AWARDS CEREMONY ON WEDNESDAY, 4TH DECEMBER, 2024 @ BEZAAR HALLS, LAGOS/ABEOKUTA EXPRESSWAY, DALEMO, SANGO OTA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA
The Vice Chancellor,
& Chairman of Governing Council,
The Head of Senate,
League of Professors,
Distinguished Scholars & Guests
Ladies & gentlemen,
Please, permit me to stand on the existing protocols.
To start with, I’m humbled as I express my joy today at this landmark event of my inauguration as the first honorary Chancellor of the College of Chaplaincy & Social Sciences.
This is history by itself!
And to me, it’s beyond ordinary. It is an ordained engagement, and so it is divine.
I will therefore like to return my appreciation to God Almighty who has granted me this grace and favor. Glory be to God forever!
I must admit that my acceptance of this great responsibility is due to my commitment and passion for service and development of humanity.
As much as it is an honor to assume this great position, it is also a huge responsibility that calls for full attention.
With this understanding, I want to pledge my allegiance to the demand of this position and general development of the College, with all my strength and ability by the grace of God.
I have strong plans to make my period a very profitable one, as I am aware that I shall be serving in this position for the next two years and quite certain that my tenure will deliver major marks on the Institution.
To this end, I wish to share a few of my ideas and vision with you to establish my commitment.
In this context, you may wish to permit me to use “We” instead of “I”, as It’s better when we make our effort and achievement collective as an institution.
We plan to develop an inclusive policy and will therefore boldly interface with all the necessary people and stakeholders on behalf of the College in order to make the College of Chaplaincy and Social Sciences greater.
While the Governing Council of the College will continue to promote the prime vision and mission of the College, the daily management of the College as usual will be guided by the Vice Chancellor.
We will ensure the development of the College in all areas. Our ongoing projects will urgently be completed while new projects will commence immediately. Funds will be raised from various possible sources to ensure quick completion of projects. We will also look out for donors that may be interested in our projects.
We will also ensure a balance ratio of students and staff for the college and shall strive to surpass the average in this regard.
We will also assist to improve on the College system to generate more funds through commercial bids, investments and new business model.
We will try and improve on the business of the College and try to link up the College with industry, commerce and international organizations..
My distinguished audience, ladies and gentlemen, it is my desire that the College have a functional policy on publications and a strong Press house like other Institutions in the developed countries of the world. This is meant to turn the intellectual capacity of the College into world class publications..
Certainly, this will showcase the high and class social value of this College of Chaplaincy & Social Sciences, and will also improve the public perception, image and international rating of the College.
We will work together as a family to move the College forward. This is a necessary challenge for me which will be met by our collective commitment to the tasks before us.
I must apologize for taking your time in welcoming you and in declaring this ceremony open.
Please, let it be our collective supplication that all what I have mentioned and much more would be achieved through the help of God.
Today, we will push some internal support for the college, with an instant donation and to be followed by some other deliveries through the governing Council.
Our dear Vice Chancellor, I must thank you for guiding the College alone from inception till now. We are now here as dream interpreters.
We are now here to share the burden with you. We are now here to make a mark. We are now here to make the journey more comfortable.
My gratitude goes to everyone, the League of Professors, the Staff and all of you in this great community.
My joy and love for you all, knows no bounds as I am certain that my success is assured with your total cooperation.
I hereby welcome you all to the 2024 Convocation and Awards Ceremony of this great College.
Thank you all and God bless.
Rev. Prof. Osoba Kehinde Adebisi.
(Honorary Chancellor)
