—Bags Honorary Doctorate Degree award
By Isaac Uzaan
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia has identified Public/Private partnership as a potential solution to the challenges of financing higher education in Africa.
Governor Alia made this known while delivering a speech at the 5th Congregational Ceremony for the Conferment of Degrees and Award of Diplomas and Certificates to the 2022/2023 graduands of Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology, Magbura, Sierra Leone.
The Governor also received Honorary Doctorate Degree Award from the same university in recognition of his excellent leadership qualities and enormous contributions to education.
He said challenges of financing higher education in Africa have become daunting, stressing the increasing financial constraints faced by educational institutions and the rising tuition fees that students and their families have to grapple with.
“In today’s rapidly evolving world, challenges of financing higher education have become daunting. Educational institutions face increasing financial constraints while students and their families grapple with rising tuition fees”.
Governor Alia said limited public funding couple with increasing students demands has placed immense pressure on institutions, threatens the quality and accessibility of education.
He continued that amidst all these challenges, public/private partnership has emerged as a potential solution to sustain and enhance the quality of higher education in Africa.
Earlier, the Governor had a stint at the famous St. Joseph of Moriado Formation House, Makeni where he met with some seminarians and the head of the formation house, Novice Master Bruno.
Governor Alia, who also participated in the feast day celebration of Michael Tansi Quasi Parish, Goderich Barracks, was treated to a dinner at the house of Most Rev Dr. Edward Tamba Charles, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Freetown, Sierra Leone.
On the entourage of the Governor was the Benue State Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Rev. Fredrick Ikyaan, the Vice Chancellor, Benue State University, Prof. Joseph Tor Iorapuu, the Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Grace Adagba, Former Nigerian Ambassador to Russia and the Republic of Belarus, Prof. Steve Ugba, the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Protocol and Wardrobe, Hon. Emmanuel Iorbee, and Hon. Mike Chia, amongst others.
