You Were Taught Development Practice not Theory, DPP Coordinator to Graduating Students

By Tope Musowo and Olusegun Caleb

The Coordinator of the Development Practice Program (DPP) of the Center for Sustainable Development (CESDEV), University of Ibadan,Dr Olawale Olayide has charged the graduating students  to think solutions to daunting challenges confronting the word.

Dr. Layide gave this charge while addressing the students at the occasion of the Luncheon and Alumni Home- coming with the theme "Endogeneous Development and Practice for Sustainable Development" held at the International Conference Center , University of Ibadan on Friday.

His address in part,"Dear Friends and colleagues, you have been taken through the crucible of rigorous classroom teaching and on the field boot-on-the-ground training in the course of your study that earns you the degree of master in Development Practice." 

"Again, it is development practice, not development theory. You are therefore encouraged to unleash the solution and lightened your circle of influence. You are unleashed as employment creators."

"The whole United Nations structure is being aligned to respond to the global goals, and only you have the degree and eligibility to fill the employment gaps, not only in Nigeria but also in Africa and rest of the world."

"Companies and private sectors are moving from the usual corporate social responsibility to investment in sustainable development. Airports (Istanbul), hotels (Ibis), oil & gas companies (BP), banks (Zenith) etc are blazing the trails as green businesses.

  

"Again, we cannot overemphasize the important of theory in practice. Think about sustainable solution as an adoption process. ..."

"Nigeria (and indeed Africa), has many problems which we politely call challenges, and sarcastically crises. These challenges are opportunities for wealth creation and transformation. For instance, the challenge of energy in Nigeria is a great opportunity for investment in renewable and non-grid sources". Dr Olayide advised.

Along with this line of thought, former Nigeria High Commissioner to Ghana,Ambassador Ademola Oluseyi Onafowokan who was guest at the event said Nigeria needs sustainable development experts to lift the country forward.

The former Ambassador posited  that Sustainable Development practice is more than before needed to bring about the expected development in Nigeria and even Africa as a whole, adding that all what was needed for the Nigeria to be lifted could be adequately made possible with the coming in of Sustainable Development Practice experts into the system.

He then charged the Development Practice students to find their ways to the Ministries and other government parastatals and agencies for Nigeria to witness growth and development.

Meanwhile,earlier in his opening remark,the Director, Centre for Sustainable Development,(CESDEV) University of Ibadan, Professor Olanrewaju Olaniyan lauded the Center's alumni for their support for the center and urged the present  students of the center to emulate them.

The Vice Chancellor, Osun state University, Professor Labode Popoola while speaking assured the center of his continued support and his readiness to continue to associate with the center.

Professor Popoola commended the Director of the Center,Professor Olaniyan and the Center's Coordinator, Dr Olayide Olawale for upholding and sustaining the center.

In her presentation at the luncheon, Mrs Chidioma Opara emphasized the need for Nigeria government to make laws that will improve financial operations in the country.

It would be recalled that the Luncheon and Homecoming for the Alumni was a grand fenale  of  the Sustainability Week that started with a rally on Tuesday,then a visit to the less privileged on Wednesday, followed by a training and workshop session for the students on 'Promoting Accountability and Transparency within the Civil Society' ; powered by the NNNGO. 

The high point of the Luncheon was the  Awards presentation to some eminent personalities; Ambassador Ademola Onafowokan (the former Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana), Dr. Lucia Rodriguez,  (the Director Global MDP , Columbia University, and the newly appointed Patroness of the Organization), Professor Oladele Osinbajo, Miss Adetokunbo Lawrence, Mr Adebimpe Aderounmu, Mr Olufemi Oshinowo and Miss Victoria Nyabam. 

The programme also witnessed the swearing-in of the newly elected DEPSA's Executives, Certificates presentation for attendees of the training carried out, and Cutting of the "Sustainability Cake".