By Blessing Ibegbu
Prof.King-David Yawe, a Consultant Surgical Oncologist, University of Abuja, has called for the empowerment of graduates with skills to navigate a complex global landscape.
Yawe made the call at the convocation lecture of Bingham University ahead of the 5th combined convocation of the institution on Friday in Karu, Nasarawa State.
The convocation lecture with the theme” Empowering Graduates as a Global Citizens for a Sustainable Future” aims at inspiring the future of graduates.
The consultant, who is also a professor of General, Breast and Endocrine Surgery, said that empowering graduates as global citizens helps in facilitating sustainable future.
According to him, it is aimed at inspiring and equipping them with the necessary skills and a mindset to contribute to global citizenship.
He said that global citizenship concept encompassed the idea of belonging to a global community, as well as sharing responsibility for its wellbeing.
“It involves understanding and respecting different cultures, perspectives, values and recognising the inter connectedness of the world”.
Yawe said that graduates from educational institutions have the potential to tackle pressing issues.
He said that such pressing issues which include climate change, inequality, and resource depletion would be resolved when empowered as global citizens.
“This empowerment entails fostering a sense of responsibility toward the planet and its inhabitants, embedding sustainability into their professional journey, encouraging innovative solutions that reach beyond borders.
“The rationale for this approach is both ethical and practical, as it aligns with sustainable values, promotes economic resilience and equips graduates with essential skills to navigate a complex global landscape,” he said.
He further said that global citizenship requires certain core competence that enable individuals to understand and engage with the world.
rs are, digital literacy and technology ethical and civic engagement and these are essential for addressing global challenges and promoting a sustainable future.
“These competences also empower individuals to navigate diverse cultural contexts, analyse complex issues and work collaborative towards solutions,” he added.
Yawe explained that the curriculum for integrating global citizenship was crucial for fostering global awareness and understanding among students.
According to him, such involved incorporating global perspectives issues and skills into various subjects and disciplines.
“This integration helps students to develop a broader worldview and equips them with the necessary knowledge and skills to address global challenges.
“ By integrating global citizenship into curriculum, students gain deeper understanding of global issues such as climate change, poverty and inequality.
“They learn to analyze these issues from multiple perspectives and develop a sense of responsibility towards creating positive change ,” he said.
Also speaking, Prof. Haruna Ayuba, Vice Chancellor of Bingham University said the lecture was to challenge students and graduands that acquiring a degree is just the first step in the journey.
He noted that what graduands do with the degree is entirely a different ball game.
Ayuba admonished the graduands to take the lecture seriously as it would inspire, prepare them for the future with insights from experiences of a distinguished individual.
Rev. Ayuba Bagat, ECWA president, reiterated the need for all academics and students to develop themselves in digital technology.
“We should be part of this noble world by making impact through research and of course the world thrives on research.
“Where we are today is because of research, whether it is robotic engineering or artificial intelligence , it is the way God created us today, he said.
He commended the lecturer for his foresight towards research in the area of digital literacy. (NAN)