Kayode Olanrewaju 
Former Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola yesterday counselled new Lagos State University (LASU) graduates and other youths to embrace the future with skills and self-discipline. According to the onetime Lagos State governor, self-discipline will be the element that completes all the work parents and guardians have done, and what the lecturers have done will concretise their character and define their reputation.
He, however, underscored the impact of Artificial Intelligence as technology that is positive for mankind as it portends, for example, savings in energy consumption as a result of reduced time to get things done. He said this while delivering the 27th convocation lecture of the institution, titled: “Embracing the Future: Navigating the Intersection of Technology and Humanity.”
Fashola, who pointed out that the graduates would require many more things, including continuing education formally and informally, insisted that life would become meaningless the day we stop learning. He said: “But over and beyond skills and education, you will require self-discipline. Partly the education you have received here will take you someway on your journey but it will not be enough.”
While stressing the need for self-discipline, the former minister reminded them that many talented people have failed or have been passed by because their attitude was bad; and people who are less educated, talented or skilled have excelled simply because of the right attitude.
Fashola also explained that they are graduating into a world of technology at a time when talent is being rewarded at an unprecedented level, and therefore, implored to reflect on self-discipline since only hard work provides sustainable wealth; not rituals, not fake pastors or imams and not trafficking illicit drugs.
