Makanjuola added that the Federal Government cannot shoulder the responsibility of providing quality education for the citizenry.
He made the appeal while donating a 520-seater theatre hall, which cost Caverton N55 million to complete, to the Federal University of Technology, Minna as part of activities to celebrate the institution’s 21st, 22nd, and 23rd convocation ceremonies.
He said the ability for the nation to compete with other nations depends solely on how skilled the people are, adding that the world now lives in a knowledge economy.
Makanjuola said though government is expected to take the lead in national capacity development, the nation cannot do it alone, adding that there is a role for everyone, especially corporate organisations to invest in national capacity development as it expands the pool of skilled manpower they can draw from to further their corporate interests.
He said, “Our collaboration with your institution will not end with just handing over this building. We are open to offering Internship (IT) positions to deserving students of your institution. Your Engineering programmes have been adjudged as the best by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) with full accreditation status. Caverton therefore would encourage your Engineering students who finish at the top of their class, graduating with First and Second class upper degrees, to seek employment with us”.
Makanjuola expressed hope that the hall would benefit the institution in addressing the inherent problem of congestion and inadequate lecture halls and also enhance teaching and learning.
Accepting the offer of Caverton group, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Musbau Akanji, said the theatre would be put to good use and maintained by the institution.
Lamenting on the lack of boarding facilities for students, Akanji said out of 17,000 students, only 20 per cent are boarders, urging the group and other well-meaning Nigerians to assist them in this area.
