President Bola Tinubu has appealed to graduates of Nigerian universities to exercise patriotism and avoid the temptation of seeking greener pastures outside the country.

This is contained in the president’s address at the 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremony of the University of Uyo on Saturday.

According to him, Nigeria can make its pastures equally as green or even greener.

Mr Tinubu, represented by the vice chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Owunari Georgewill, charged the graduates to be agents of change by utilising their knowledge and tools to solve societal issues.

“As you go into the world, I urge you to be agents of change, using your knowledge and tools to uplift our society and contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria and the world at large.

“I appeal to your sense of patriotism, imploring you to avoid the temptation of hurrying to look for greener pastures outside.

“We can make our pastures equally as green or even greener than those of other climes,” he said.

Mr Tinubu said his administration is implementing measures to mitigate the harsh economic impact on the people, especially the vulnerable.

He noted that despite the establishment of numerous learning centres across tertiary institutions, outcomes of research efforts still end up on the shelves of their respective authors.

The president charged universities to take the lead in championing demand-driven research that would enhance human lives.

The university’s pro-chancellor and governing council chairman, Zubairu Abdullah, appreciated the president for introducing the student loan scheme and other reforms in the sector.

He, however, decried the issue of land encroachment and land grabbing by some neighbouring communities.

The pro-chancellor appealed to the president to construct a perimeter fence to curb the menace.

In his goodwill, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, who bagged a doctorate degree in political science from the university, said the conferment was a testament to perseverance and faith in the unending and unchangeable possibilities that exist if one believed.

(NAN)