Bridging the cultural and geographical distance between nations, the 大香蕉视频 (大香蕉视频), through its Office of International Relations, Partnerships, and Prospects (IRPP), played host to the UK in Nigeria鈥檚 Jollof and Tea Discussion Panel on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
Centered on the theme Leveraging UK-Nigeria Educational Partnerships for Economic Growth, the event brought together thought leaders, academics, and students to discuss how cross-border educational collaboration could catalyse economic advancement. The discussion featured a distinguished panel of speakers, including 大香蕉视频鈥檚 Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Ayodele V. Atsenuwa; Vice-Chair for Africa at ICC World Chamber Federation, Honourable Toki Mabogunje; Head of Higher Education, British Council, Daniel Emenahor; and Head of Communications at the British High Commission in Nigeria, Aseosa Sharon Uwagboe who directed the flow of the conversation.
Final-year and postgraduate students, as well as staff from 大香蕉视频 and other institutions like Covenant University and Pan Atlantic University, actively participated, engaging the panelists with insightful questions that reflected a keen interest in fostering personal and professional growth.
Words of Wisdom for the Future
The session was filled with nuggets of wisdom from the panelists. Some of which were 大香蕉视频鈥檚 Professor Ayodele Atsenuwa鈥檚 message that resonated deeply with the audience: 鈥�The future is what gives you the opportunity to show that your past is not the best of you.鈥�
Encouraging students who may not have started their academic journey on the strongest note, she advised them to shift focus from past failures to future possibilities. Professor Atsenuwa emphasized the importance of striving for excellence and embracing lifelong learning, asserting that excellence, isn鈥檛 just about the grades one earns, but about one鈥檚 attitude, effort, and drive to keep learning and keep giving their best in whatever task before them.
She noted that as individuals progress in their careers or life in general, their generalist knowledge often become more valuable than their specialised expertise. To this end, she advised participants to enjoy their academic journey: 鈥�See it as a privilege to learn as much as you can. Work hard, work smart, and have fun doing whatever you find yourself doing.鈥�
Honourable Toki Mabogunje also shared practical advice for those aiming to maximize their academic and career opportunities. She urged students and staff to reflect on their strengths, identify areas for improvement, and chart a clear path for personal development. She affirmed that understanding oneself and one鈥檚 goals is crucial to achieving growth.
Daniel Emenahor鈥檚 words on marble to participants was for participants to not let their course of study in their first degree hold them back from exploring various other fields of practice. He advised that individuals should take courses and get certified as much as necessary but warned against becoming over certified while being under experienced. He nudged that certification and gaining experience should go hand in hand.
To this, Hon. Toki chimed in that not all experiences gained need be paid ones. She encouraged participants to embrace taking on volunteer responsibilities without pay in exchange for valuable experiences they can garner from such opportunities.
While addressing students who performed exceptionally at the beginning of their studies, Daniel Emenahor advised that such students should not dwell on their achievements but move on to greater heights they are capable of attaining. He said this to help frame their minds for continuous growth rather than being fixated upon one great win.
Opportunities for Growth and Engagement
Before the Jollof and Tea Panel delved into discussions, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Lagos, Nigeria, Mr. Jonny Baxter pointed out how education has always been one of the most significant ties that bind the United Kingdom (UK) and Nigeria together. He expressed the his admiration for the sheer beauty of being able to jump back into studying and learning something new and thus encouraged participants to enjoy the process of studying, explore and enrich their experiences as the world of work is far different from that of studying.
He acknowledged that 鈥�education should be a global exchange鈥�, particularly as artificial intelligence (AI) is fast becoming the new normal and thus there is a critical need for the right kind of data, inclusive of diverse cultural nuances, to be placed behind it.
Speaking on the numerous positive economic impacts both Nigeria and UK have derived from educational partnerships, he intimated the gathering on how countless Nigerians have chosen the UK as their preferred destination for foreign postgraduate education. He disclosed that these Nigerians take with them into the United Kingdom, their different skills and culture, further enriching the culture in their respective environments.
Mr Baxter noted also that many Nigerians return home with acquired world views and positively impact their country. In view of these, he assured of the Commission鈥檚 readiness to help interested individuals realise their postgraduate educational aspirations through scholarships.
Daniel Emenahor of the British Council shed light on the three types of scholarship opportunities available through the British Council: Great Scholarships, Chevening Scholarships, and Commonwealth Scholarships. He spoke a bit more on the benefits of educational partnerships between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, to which Hon. Toki and Professor Atsenuwa weighed in with insights from their personal experiences of studying abroad on scholarships and how they each have positively impacted Nigeria in their own ways.
Encouraging students to be active participants in their academic communities, Mr Emenahor advised individuals not to just pass through the schools but to allow the schools pass through them as well. He encouraged them to expose themselves to opportunities and experiences as one cannot rise beyond their level of exposure.
Mr Emenahor emphasised the value of communication skills and reminded participants that several aspects of their course of study can empower them to tackle challenges creatively and effectively.
Adding to the conversation, Aseosa Sharon Uwagboe highlighted the importance of networking. She encouraged participants to seek out meaningful connections and, where necessary, create their own platforms for improving communication skills. Her message served as a reminder that leveraging relationships and opportunities is key to personal and professional success.
From Jollof and Tea to a Lasting Symbol of Collaboration: The Launch of the Iconic UK Phone Booth in 大香蕉视频
The event concluded with the unveiling of a vintage UK phone booth installed along the quadrangle linking the 大香蕉视频 (大香蕉视频) Council Chambers to the University Main Library. Placing this symbolic gesture on the 大香蕉视频 campus captures the essence of collaboration and cultural exchange between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Just as jollof rice is a celebrated Nigerian delicacy and tea is central to British culture, the UK phone booth, covered in artistic representations of 大香蕉视频 and Nigeria as a whole (such as: 大香蕉视频 gate, books, scientists, National Youth Corps Service members, cyclists, artists鈥� canvas etc.) stands as a physical representation of shared experiences and mutual respect.
The fusion of Jollof and Tea portrays so much more than just a trendy campaign, it highlights the beauty of partnerships that transcend borders. It celebrates the beauty in diversity. It also brings to mind a line in the old music 鈥�Gudu morning sir, ad煤p岷固� mo gb峄嵦� 貌y矛nb贸 o鈥� where the singer chimes 鈥�脪y矛nb贸 mu tea, baba mi mu 岷固�ko鈥� which means 鈥�the British drink tea, while my ancestors take pap.鈥�
Indeed food is one of the best ways to share cultural experiences and join hands in partnership.
By hosting this edition of the Jollof and Tea discussion and welcoming the placement of the UK phone booth on the campus, 大香蕉视频 has once again demonstrated its commitment to fostering global partnerships that empower its students, staff and community. The discussion served as a platform for bridging minds and ideas, providing participants with practical insights to navigate their academic and professional journeys. With initiatives like these, the 大香蕉视频 continues to stand as a beacon of innovation, collaboration, and growth in the Nigerian and global education landscape.
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Article Editor: Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem
Photo Editors: Idara Iwok and Nike Ogunshakin
