Gabriel Dike
Worried by the numerous societal problems confronting the nation, the Vice Chancellor of Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, Prof. Isaac Ajayi has called on the Federal Government, private sector and relevant stakeholders to fund researches in some fields to tackle national issues.
Prof Ajayi who spoke at the first research event since the inception of the university in 2005 and organized by the College of Business and Social Sciences (CBSS), appealed to government, corporate bodies and International donor agencies to contribute towards the financial support of researches in some fields and other areas.
The VC, represented by the Deputy VC, Prof Patrick Yalokwu acknowledged Crawford University and other universities for their interest and financial support for cutting edge researches at a time when the country is struggling to get out of protracted recession.
He also urged professors, lecturers and researches to focus their research attention on some fields in the interest of solving problems of national concern and those that have global relevance.
According to him, the areas include climate change, flood control, urban refuse management, environmental health, stem research, crime and delinquency, insurgency and terrorism, cyber security,management of agricultural and food insecurity, political and corporate leadership, spiritual and authentic leadership, health management and disease control.
Ajayi described research as a rigorous and energy-sapping activity thus through support and the building of a favourable socio-economic research environment, Crawford University is promoting research that can yield the result towards the common good of all.
His words: ’’Both financial and material support of researches and researchers are required for the sustainable development of individual citizens, corporate organizations and the society as a whole.
’’The theme of this forum is Research Exploits for Greater Tomorrow. I think that this theme is topical because no good research exploit will serve only for now; all good researches must hold promise for today and for greater tomorrow of an entity – be it an institution, a state, region, or continent or the entire globe.’’
The VC said the event will enable faculty members to showcase their research outputs to the university community and other stakeholders who are interested in university products and services.
Prof Ajayi also noted that it will provide opportunity for students to showcase their on-going research, case studies, semester projects and entrepreneurship initiatives to the university stakeholders and other interested public.
’’This forum will enhance the notion that research outcomes do not live in libraries, or in published books and journals. Published research reports must get to the ultimate stakeholders and research enthusiasts through this kind of research forum’’, the VC noted.
The host and Dean of CBSS, Prof Comfort Omorogbe said the College of Business and Social Science is the first to organize a research event in the history of the university and it is meant to showcase research works of lecturers.
Prof Omorogbe stressed that research is meant to proffer solutions to societal problems and that CBSS has over 700 published works in journals and books. She urged lecturers not to give up research effort.
The dean said the outcome of the research forum will help to create new knowledge and break through in different fields as well as open new frontier of research on national issues.
She added: “The purpose of research is not only to seek academic acknowledge but find solutions to societal problems. It is also to build and improve learning, aid business success, test validity research works proposal and stimulate interest for academic research.’’
Several awards were presented to lecturers who presented research works at the forum and the best overall went to Dr. Matthias Olufemi Ojo, Department of Social Sciences. The title of his work is: “Why sexual defilement of female minors is not reported in Lagos, Nigeria.”