Univ Don to FG: Take research work in Nigeria Universities more serious

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By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan.
Former Vice-Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof Olufemi Bamiro has asked the Federal Government (FG) to take research work in Nigeria Universities more serious.
Professor Bamiro made the call in Ibadan while speaking at the launching of a book entitled: “Renewable Natural Resources Engineering: Essays in honour of Canon Prof Babajide Lucas”.to celebrate his (Lucas) 81st birthday.
Emphasizing that as at present, Nigeria as a country “is yet to take research serious,” Professor Bamiro said “we need to change this idea for us to progress as a nation”.
‎The former Vice Chancellor declared that the time has come for the FG to make provisions for research funds for Universities in the nation’s “appropriation bills in order to adequately fund research works in the universities”.
“This is a country that has depended so much on oil, which has become traditional energy, oil and gas but surely we can see now that the way the world is going, everybody is looking towards renewable energy. We have to look into the direction of solar energy supply. In Nigeria we still need to be serious in our energy drive because the world are moving away from oil and gas to the renewable and the non renewable which must be utilised”, he said.
Professor Bamiro stressed that Nigerians “should develop our gas system in such a way that it will be able to supply us energy but we must not at any time loose the sight that we must not neglect our renewable energy sources by challenging our intellectual and universities not to only embark on research but such that will translate into development and innovation”.
He pointed out that “all this can be achieved only through intense research which needs funding”.
The former Vice Chancellor then urged government and multi-national companies in the country to support researches that can ameliorate the epileptic power supply in the country.
Speaking at the book launch, a university don, Prof Layi Fagbenle lamented the inadequate provision for research work in the Nigeria budget, saying “if you look at the budget, how much is there for researches in universities? How much in the budget annually is allocated to research and development? How much is profitably invested and disbursed into researches ‎in universities?”
“When nations are focusing on research result, they will get developed and many problems will be solved. I know what my student go through before they can be able to finish their research work due to funding. Many student use their own money to fund researches, whereas government need to create a research and development funding that each universities can tap from for their post graduate studies. Result from these researches will make the country progress in all sectors”.
Commenting on the energy crisis, Professor Fagbenle urged the government to first tackle pipeline vandalisation by the avengers, saying, “they should look into the hydros, renewables, if we have focus to develop renewable energy, we will not be in this stage today; renewable energy, wind and solar energy.”
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof Idowu Olayinka in his remark described Prof Lucas as a disciplinarian and educationist.
Speaking through the Deputy VC Administration, Prof Emilolorun Ayilari, the Vice Chancellor said “Baba is a quintessential man. It is an opportunity to celebrate a man that has tutored people that are been celebrated in all sectors today. It is an opportunity to celebrate you when you are still alive”

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