University of Ibadan (UI) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka has admonished students to combine entrepreneurialship with their studies, saying life will be more bearable and rewarding with creativity.
Prof. Olayinka made this statement while receiving a – 300 level UI’s student in his office, Kareem Babatunde Yusuff who humbly pleaded with the VC to patronize his shoe-making business.
Babatunde sighted the VC at Sultan Bello hall where the UI boss had gone to appreciate the immediate past Deans and welcome the incoming ones into the office. The student quickly ran to his hostel to fetch one of his newly-produced shoes, begging the VC to patronize him.
In his characteristic friendliness, Prof. Olayinka invited Babatunde to the VC’s office where the student narrated the story of his passion for shoe-making to the admiration of the VC.
According to the Animal Science student, “I developed passion for shoe-making when I was in Junior Class in secondary school. I went on apprenticeship and I have learned that if I could combine education with this vocational skill, I will surely make it as I don’t see myself searching for salary job after graduation with what I am doing ”
Responding, Prof. Olayinka said if students could embrace entrepreneurship and combine it with their studies, life would be more bearable and economically rewarding for them, pointing out that this kind of mentality will also reduce the level of unemployment in the country.
“In UI, we know the importance of entrepreneurship and this is why we established Center for Entrepreneurialship and Innovation where our students are being taught how to develop vocational skills, package their innovation for their economic benefits. This is the way to go to reduce crime and unemployment”, he said.
While admiring the quality of the shoes, Prof. Olayinka asked the student-entrepreneur to go and produce his size, promising to buy in order to encourage him and grow the business.
The VC who urged other students to look inwards and emulate Babatunde disclosed that he has heard of many amazing stories of some of our undergraduate students who are really making waves in fashion designing, food, music and entertainment among others.
“This is the kind of innovative story we will like to be listening to, not the narrative of those who will be threatening the peace and stability of the University”, Prof. Olayinka stated.
