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By Sola Rotimi
Former Governor of Lagos State and former Minister of Works, Housing, and Power, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has charged the younger generation to engage more with the real world rather than being too absorbed in their mobile phones.
Mr. Fashola gave the admonition while delivering a lecture titled “The Gen-Z Playbook: Navigating Work and the Real World” at the 40th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Ilorin.
Addressing the 2004/2005 graduands the former minister said the lecture was designed to guide members of Generation Z through the challenges of national service and the distractions of technological advancement that constantly seek their attention.
“The Youth Corps year provides a first opportunity to deal with businesses, institutions and places of work you will be posted. You should expect that generally, you will be well received, so I urge you to make the most use of that year,” he said.
He charged them to cultivate the habit of saving and investment, urging them to bring out the best in themselves and contribute meaningfully to national development.
“Developing the habit of saving and investing is a good step towards financial discipline. No matter how little the income, the attitude of sacrifice will help you out something aside”.
He noted that Nigeria’s landscape is beautiful and diverse, stressing the need for the graduates to embrace such diversity and respect the socio-cultural differences of their host communities during their service year.
In his address titled “The Man is the Style, and the Style is the Man,” the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole, acknowledged the sacrifices of the graduating students, their parents, and guardians.
He said the convocation ceremony was not only about conferring degrees in various disciplines, but also about releasing into society well-rounded individuals equipped with both academic excellence and practical, future-ready skills.
Some of the graduating students who spoke with Radio Nigeria expressed joy and gratitude, describing the day as the reward for years of hard work and perseverance.
