• Tasks Nigerian teachers on building quality future leaders
• Says teachers have significant role in building younger generations
• Effective teaching, inspirational mentorship, Impacts on lives- Akinwumi
By Samson Yaki
Poland is set to partner the Federal University Lokoja on deepening bilateral ties through mutual collaborations that would foster growth, innovation, academic development, and economic transformation, not just to the University alone, but Kogi State and Nigeria at large.
This forms part of discussion between the Polish Ambassador to Nigeria, Joanna Tarnawska, and the management of FuLokoja during the event of the 6th distinguished public lecture of the University, titled “How to Effectively Pass Knowledge and Inspire Students in the Contemporary World,” held recently at the Felele campus of the institution.
In her submission, Joanna Tarnawska, charged teachers of tertiary institutions in the country to engage themselves in building quality future leaders that would advance the cause of the country.
The Envoy said teachers at all levels of education have a significant role to play in building the younger generations that would take over the affairs of the country in the future.
She therefore stated that , it is imperative for teachers to Know their subject matter and be ready to deepen their knowledge continuously through researches and other ways that can improve their teaching capacity.
Speaking further, she urged teachers to always give practical examples while teaching, saying such method would enable the students listen attentively and grab information passing to them.
“Build a robust relationship with your students, let their interest be your interest. The youths are eager to learn about life and things around them, which calls for caution on passing information across to them.
“Every well meaning nation is working towards having well disciplined and patriotic future leaders that bring about growth and development.
“No teacher is an encyclopedia anymore, but a teacher is a book mark and a beacon who points to the relevant paragraphs. Therefore, a teacher must know his or her audience, adapt your language and content to the listeners”
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Durotimi Akinwumi, said the topic the Ambassador brought to the university “How to Effectively Pass Knowledge and Inspire Students in the Contemporary World,” is not just timely but imperative.
The Vice Chancellor said that , in an era marked by rapid technological advancements, societal transformations, and global interconnectedness, the role of education transcends mere dissemination of facts.
According to him, it behoves upon the teachers to instill in the students a hunger for knowledge, a love for learning, and a sense of purpose that extends beyond classroom boundaries.
He noted that as Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, he is keenly aware of the profound impact that effective teaching and inspirational mentorship can have on the lives of the students.
“It is through the dedication and commitment of educators like yourselves that we empower our students to become critical thinkers, innovative problem-solvers, and compassionate leaders in their respective fields” the VC said.
The climax of the lecture was a question where the Ambassador posed on the students and the presentation of gifts to those who got the answers to the questions correctly.
Recall that in a sustained effort to ensure the internationalization of Federal University Lokoja, the Vice-Chancellor along with his management team, earlier in February this year, visited the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Abuja to discuss with the Ambassador of his administration’s plan to collaborate with notable Universities in Poland through institutional partnership.