Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), a former minister of works and housing, has argued that human values should be upheld despite technical advancements.
This was said by the former governor of Lagos State during the 27th convocation lecture at Lagos State University (LASU), which was themed “Embracing the Future Navigating the Intersection of Technology and Humanity.”
The event took place at the institution’s main campus in Ojo, Lagos, at the Aderemi Makanjuoka Lecture Theatre.
He reaffirmed that the country’s youths need to prepare for the vast prospects of wealth that will uplift humanity and values by embracing the future with skills and self-discipline while embracing a season of technological marvels.
Fashola said that investing in and nurturing the potential of the future generation might result in remarkable accomplishments.
“Self-discipline will be the element that completes all of the work that your lecturers and your parents and guardians have done,” he stated. It will define your reputation and give your persona substance. It will serve as your integrity’s compass. It will decide whether or not you deserve to be trusted.
He continued to counsel the graduates, saying, “I want you to think about and remember this one thing: self-discipline. It will lead you away from drugs, crime, the idea that you can get wealthy without working, and the pursuit of financial miracles. None exist. Sustainable prosperity can only be attained by hard work—not by rituals, impersonating pastors or imams, or dealing in illegal drugs.
He pointed out that the students are entering a technologically advanced environment at a time when the adoption of artificial intelligence—which is based on massive supercomputer power—is rewarding skill at a level never seen before.
“Your world and the future promises to be more exciting and prosperous,” he continued. The early indication of artificial intelligence’s benefits to humanity is good. For instance, it signals energy savings due to a reduction in the amount of time needed to complete tasks.
“This lecture not only revealed the lecturer’s perspectives on national issues but also proffered solutions to the identified problems and inspired graduates as they embarked on the journey outside of academia,” said LASU Vice Chancellor Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello in her remarks.
“Today’s biggest innovation that shaped and continues to change the world of today is technology,” she continued. “It has created adaptive, never-before-seen tools and applications that meet the needs of businesses and institutions, enhance accessibility to solutions and services, improve efficiency, and guarantee a better quality of life.”
“While technology continues to improve our lives and the manner in which we interact with each other, learn from others, travel, and conduct business, the discussions around its current and potential effects on mankind have not received enough attention.
But the university has also incorporated technology into its pedagogy by using hybrid teaching for its general education classes, the speaker noted. This eliminates the physical difficulty of having to sit in packed classrooms for large-scale courses, allowing students to attend lectures anywhere on campus.