By Marvellous Nyang
October 19, 2024
Nigeria’s former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has emphasised the importance of critical thinking, integrity, and collaboration during his keynote address at the second matriculation ceremony of MIVA Open University.
At the prpgramme held on October 19, 2024, in Abuja, Osinbajo highlighted the critical role of critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the modern educational landscape.
He stated that employers today seek “innovative, efficient, tech-savvy employees who are skilled collaborators and problem solvers.”
He emphasised that the traditional approach to education, focusing on information gathering and memorisation, is no longer sufficient.
Instead, the emphasis should be on using information to solve real-life problems, which are multifaceted and not tied to traditional curricula.
Osinbajo advocated for modular education, which includes micro-credentials and digital badges, as a viable alternative to traditional university degrees.
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He noted that modular education can potentially rival university degrees in the future, especially with the use of adaptive learning platforms and artificial intelligence to design coursework tailored to individual students’ needs and learning pace.
Osinbajo stressed the critical role of integrity in achieving true success.
He declared, “Integrity might sound like a cliché today, but it is absolutely the cornerstone of real success.”
He urged individuals to remain true to their word, emphasising the need to keep promises, repay debts, and avoid making promises that cannot be kept.
Osinbajo noted that integrity is becoming increasingly rare but is highly valued and sought after, even by those with less honorable intentions.
In addition to integrity, Osinbajo emphasised the importance of hard work and diligence.
He quoted Steve Jobs, saying, “I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”
Osinbajo also highlighted the power of collaboration, citing historical examples such as the creation of the internet, the Apollo 11 mission, and the Human Genome Project.
He emphasised that collaboration amplifies individual strengths and leads to innovations that transcend normal human potential.
Osinbajo encouraged the students to embrace collaboration as a key principle in their academic and professional journeys.
Osinbajo congratulated the matriculating class, urging them to live up to the challenge of this great opportunity in a rapidly evolving educational and technological landscape.
He concluded by emphasising that real success is about leaving a lasting impact through one’s work, contributions to society, or the values imparted to others, and that integrity, hard work, and collaboration are essential for achieving this.
