The Wife of the Osun State Governor, Mrs. Titilola Adeleke, has called on students of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) to embrace entrepreneurship and innovation as essential tools for self-reliance and sustainable career development.
She made the call on Wednesday at a one-day Entrepreneurship Studies and Innovation Training organised for students of the institution in Osogbo, where she reaffirmed her office’s commitment to supporting initiatives that empower students, youths, women and girls through education, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.
Mrs. Adeleke said sustained investment in young people remains critical to the development of Osun State, describing university students as the state’s future leaders and drivers of economic growth.
She urged participants to make the most of the training by paying close attention to the sessions, asking relevant questions and applying the knowledge gained to improve their prospects.
Commending the Vice-Chancellor of UNIOSUN, Prof. Odunayo Adebooye, for initiating the programme, Adeleke described the training as a timely intervention aimed at equipping students with practical entrepreneurial and innovative skills.
“We will continue to invest in our young people, and I encourage students to take the training seriously for their own benefit,” she said.
She noted that every successful business starts with an idea, encouraging students to complement their academic qualifications with practical skills, creativity and innovative thinking that can translate into viable enterprises.
The governor’s wife also lauded the university management for organising the programme and urged students to believe in themselves, remain focused and work diligently towards achieving their aspirations.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Odunayo Adebooye, reiterated the university’s commitment to producing graduates with entrepreneurial competence, creativity and problem-solving abilities capable of contributing to national development.
He said UNIOSUN’s vision is to build great minds, nurture critical thinkers and equip graduates with the skills required to tackle challenges across various sectors of the economy.
Adebooye further encouraged students to position themselves for opportunities in the global knowledge economy by continuously acquiring relevant skills needed to remain competitive in an ever-evolving world.
According to him, the training offers participants the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and industry experts.
“I urge students to maximise the benefits of the programme,” he said, while appreciating Mrs. Adeleke for her consistent support for the university’s entrepreneurship development initiatives.
Earlier, the Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Studies and Innovation, Prof. Adepoju Adigun, said the annual training was designed to cultivate an innovative mindset among students and prepare them to take advantage of emerging opportunities in today’s dynamic economy.
She explained that the programme demonstrates how innovative ideas can be transformed into viable businesses while equipping participants for sustainable entrepreneurship.
Adigun disclosed that students would also participate in a three-month internship programme aligned with their respective disciplines to gain practical industry experience.
She said the initiative is intended to strengthen the university’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, enhance students’ capacity for innovation and self-reliance, and prepare them for successful careers after graduation.
She thanked the university management for its continued support for entrepreneurship education and urged students to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the programme.
Delivering the guest lecture, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Computer Information and Engineering, Dr. Dayo Sobowale, stressed the need for students to transform innovative ideas into successful business ventures.
Sobowale said creativity begins with the human mind and described innovation as a key driver of meaningful development. He urged students to identify their strengths, embrace their uniqueness and channel their ideas into ventures that create value for society.
