The chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition, Senator Neda Imasuen, has reaffirmed the National Assembly’s dedication to enhancing University funding, protecting academic freedom, and closing the gap between knowledge and industry.
Imasuen, who serves as the representative for Edo South, made this statement during the two-day golden jubilee celebration of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), where he received the Distinguished Legislative Leadership Award.
This event also served as a moment for reflection on the Faculty’s fifty years of academic excellence, cultural impact, and the influence of its alumni, while also outlining a vision for its future.
The lawmaker was represented at the event by the former Edo State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Orobosa Omo-Ojo, who took the opportunity to emphasize Senator Imasuen’s contributions to education within the Edo South senatorial district.
“Our nation requires more than just degrees—it demands problem solvers, ethical leaders, and brave citizens,” he remarked. “Education transcends the mere acquisition of certificates; it is fundamentally about fostering resilience, character, and a sense of responsibility.”
Emphasizing his contributions to education in Edo South, Omo-ojo revealed that Senator Neda Imaseun has granted over 420 scholarships in the last two years, which includes two students from UNIBEN’s Music and Educational Management departments.
He mentioned that his office has paid UTME fees for more than 500 students and has also initiated vocational training programs for parents in areas such as modern farming, fashion design, and traditional event services.
Additionally, he expressed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s Students Loan Act, calling it a crucial measure for enhancing access to higher education.
Moreover, he disclosed plans to train 350 youths in boundary security and committed to the renovation of the Faculty of Arts Lecture Theatre as part of his constituency initiatives.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Edosa Bright Omoregie, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Professor Victor Ighineweka, characterized the Faculty as “a beacon of intellectual, cultural and humanistic development,” noting that its alumni have significantly influenced Nigeria’s academic, artistic, and political spheres.
In his keynote lecture, Professor Francis Egbokhare tackled the theme “The Place of Humanity in an AI Era.”
He rejected the notion that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could supplant human potential, emphasizing instead that the most pressing challenges facing the world are “humanistic, not scientific.” He contended that matters of values, equity, leadership, and purpose cannot be addressed through technology but require a human-centered approach.
