The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has tasked members of the Association of Registrar of Nigerian Universities (ARNU) on the need to leverage technology in streamlining record keeping and administration of tertiary institutions in the country.
This is as the body commended the governor on his developmental strides in education and other sectors, noting that the gains he has made in education is enviable and historic.
Obaseki, who spoke during a courtesy visit to the Government House, Benin City, by the association led by its Chairman and Registrar of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Mr. Ife Oluwole, assured the association of the government’s continuous support.
According to him, “You are the administrators of universities and determine how the universities function. With the current thinking in administration, there is a need to advance the role of technology in administering universities. Your association has a lot to offer.
“With technology and digitalization, it will be interesting to know where you are in terms of keeping records and digitizing your records. We are glad that you are in the State to think through how to administer the universities as part of your retreat.”
He said the State government has two universities while the federal government has one, with several others privately owned, noting that his administration is thinking through how best to regulate them.
According to him, “As a State, how do we regulate our institutions? Should we not have some responsibilities? Should we not understand what is going on in your institutions? What should be the role of the government? We should understand what you are doing and get reports from you. We would be looking forward to the communique that will come out from this retreat from your vibrant association.”
The governor further noted, “I will look at the strides made in education as I declare your retreat open on Friday. What we are doing as a State that is not said or heard is forcing a rethink in the role of government in education, particularly tertiary education, in an era where budgets are constrained and government has so much to do. What should be the role of the government in education?”
In his response, Chairman of the Association of Registers of Nigerian Universities (ARNU), Oluwole thanked the governor for his developmental strides in the State, particularly in advancing the education sector.
He assured the governor of the readiness of the association in assisting and supporting the State in the advancement of its developmental strides.
“Your commitment in prioritizing education and recognizing its importance is commendable as history will not forget you for the all-round development witnessed in the State during your tenure,” he said.
Oluwole noted that members of the association are in the State for their annual retreat which is a platform to exchange ideas and explore new approaches to address the challenges in the education sector.
He further thanked the governor for paying several years of pension arrears of retirees in the State, saying that, “as you have made a statement that for any nation to flourish, equality and prosperity must be available to everyone.”
