Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State, has said that age should not be a barrier to achieving educational goals. He claims that one of the requirements placed on him before he was allowed to pursue his goal of becoming governor in 2022 was that he finish his schooling.
At the Adeleke University’s combined 9th undergraduate and 5th postgraduate convocation ceremonies on Sunday, where 75 postgraduate and 537 undergraduate students received various degrees, Adeleke delivered a speech.
The governor claimed that after losing the 2018 governorship election, he was the target of the worst personality attacks and assaults. He continued by saying that he was forced to flee the country in order to avoid attack and finish his degree program after his older brother, Dr. Deji Adeleke, insisted he must finish his education in order to pursue his goal of becoming governor in 2022.
“Dr. Tajudeen Adeleke encouraged me to proceed,” he claimed. He summoned me to a meeting before I left for exile, where we talked. He advised me to consider the abuse I had to endure from people who claimed I lacked education. He suggested that I pursue my studies in America.
“He said that the only thing I can do for the Osun people is to get educated and finish my degree before running for governor; else, I should give up on that goal.
“At that time, I was able to successfully re-enroll and finish my degree program. I appreciate my family and friends for their unwavering support and am pleased of what I have accomplished.
“In 2022, as a recent graduate, I returned to run again. The rest is now in the past. What has been learned? Age should never be a barrier to pursuing education. To achieve, we must dedication and zeal.
Dr. Deji Adeleke, the university’s founder, stated in his speech that if Nigerians were determined to change the country for the better, it could be done.
He urged Nigerians who wanted to live in a prosperous nation to avoid blaming people in positions of authority and instead contribute their fair share to nation-building.