In furtherance to her commitment to driving community impact as part of her tripodal mandate, Landmark University organized on Tuesday 19th July 2022 a town-gown consortium tagged “Cinematherapy and Use of Library: A Town and Gown Consortium against the Menace of ‘Palasa’”, to address the menace of lackadaisical disposition to use of library, dwindling interest in education and patronage of quackery among the youths in the society, in order to enlighten and reposition them for attainment of their potentials in the community.

The event which was held at the Omu-Aran Community SDG facility was graced by the Royal father, some Community group leaders, academics, secondary school teachers, secondary school students and indigenes of the Omu-Aran Community.

The event under the auspices of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) group in collaboration with the University Center for Learning Resources (CLR) is aimed at further informing Omu-Aran Community on the danger of quackery, disinterest in reading and use of library. With optimism that participants would appreciate the enlightenment and spread the information within and outside the community, different speakers urged the participants to always insist on standards especially in the education sector, noting the essence of education in nation building. 

Making his remarks, the Olomu of Omu-Aran, His Royal Majesty Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti called on teachers and students to work on improving the standard of education, asserting that while the challenge of substandard is cyclical in nature, more can still be done by the public and private institutions to salvage the situation. “We need to be sure we are achieving value. Make yourself valuable no matter your level and ensure you sustain the good work you are doing”, His Royal Majesty enthused. Oba Abdulraheem, thereafter, lauded the initiative of Landmark University to impact the community as he encouraged the institution to organize more value-adding programmes frequently. 

The Vice-Chancellor of Landmark University, Professor Charity Aremu who had earlier addressed the gathering noted that the event is about the passion for the vision of the University so that students can be bridge builders, destiny moulders and pathfinders. In her speech, Professor Charity Aremu advised participants to embrace self-learning in order to identify areas of gap. She added that there is hope and that through such programmes the menace of “palasa” will be a thing of the past. According to her, the rudiments of learning will speak on the quality of the generation we breed as a nation. She, therefore, encouraged the teachers to embrace teaching their students the acts of learning by reading. The Vice-Chancellor also advised the students to engage in reading in order to get to the top. “The principles of engagement get you to greater heights, therefore, study to advance because it is our vision to eradicate “palasa” in Omu-Aran”. 

Also in her remarks, the Registrar Miss Adefunke Fola Oyinloye, who condemned the level of moral decadence in the society, stated that there must be an end to quackery and immorality while hoping that with the town and gown consortium students, teachers and other participants would have a clear understanding of the menace of palasa.

Also lending his voice, the President Omu-Aran Development Association (ODA) Rtd. General Abidoye, who expressed gratitude to the University for organizing such an impactful programme, noted that his association jumped at the initiative because of the importance they attached to the development of education in Omu-Aran. 

In his presentation titled, “Cinematherapy suppressing the menace of palasa”, Dr. Sola Owolabi of the Centre for Learning Resources Landmark University identified home factor, self-worth, reading habit, use of the library, value re-evaluation and equity as some panaceas to moral decadence and “palasa” in the nation. He, thereafter, concluded by urging all participants to be patriotic, avoid mediocrity and stay committed to making a positive impact. “We are enough for the change if we are focused; we are too few if we lack the will”, he noted. 

The Leader of the SDG 11 group, Dr Oluwatobi Asani appreciated everyone for honouring the invitation of the University which was the greatest support for the campaign against the menace of mediocrity and to refocus the youth on the importance of quality education. The town and gown consortium organized by SDG 11 featured, cinematherapy, panel discussion and interactive session.