From Simon Favour Fumi
The Rector of Federal Polytechnic Bida, Dr. Abubakar Abdul Dzukogi, has called for the revamping of the nation’s power sector, noting that doing so will improve research for national development.
Dr. Dzukogi explained that research cannot develop with the state of power in the country, saying urgent steps must be taken to revive research in Nigeria. He stated this in a keynote address at the 9th Annual National Conference organized by the School of Environmental Studies with the theme “The Place of Sustainable Environment In Building a Resilient Economy In Nigeria.”
According to the Rector, the place of sustainable environment in building a resilient economy in the country cannot be overemphasized, adding that, “this underscores the imperativeness of an enabling physical environment when building a resilient economy.”
The Chief Executive Officer commended the School of Environmental Studies for sustaining the annual programme and urged them to sustain the tempo.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Engr. John Manukaji, expressed concern over the level of what he called academic corruption whereby academic staff make little or no effort in research, but want their names to be published.
He called on government at all levels to make it mandatory for industries to lead research activities in tertiary schools to solve research problems as well as polytechnic management to revive inaugural lectures in the school to ensure that academic staff members are committed to research for national growth and development.
Earlier, the Dean, School of Environmental Studies, Dr. Tabiti Sunday Tabiti said the annual conference was organized to “brainstorm on topical issues and proffer solutions that will serve as a platform for policies and legislations needed for enhancing Nigeria’s economic development.”
According to Dr. Tabiti, the theme was selected in line with the present administration’s drive to rebuild the nation’s ailing economy.
In a related development, not fewer than sixty-two laptops were recently distributed to heads of departments, exam officers and officials of key directorates, and units at Federal Polytechnic, Bida.
The laptops donated by the Nigerian Communications Commission came as part of the holistic programmes’ of the Rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Abubakar Adul Dzukogi.
The polytechnic ICT Director, Dr. San Man Yayaha, in an exclusive interview with Campus Sun disclosed that other units of the institution would be captured very soon.
According to the Director, printers are to be provided to complement the laptops. While calling on the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the laptops, the Director said NICTSAT and GALAXY have also been contacted to help the project succeed and he expressed optimism of a positive response.
Yahaya who revealed that plans are in top gear to cover both academic and non-academic staff in the Polytechnic however noted that little amount of money may be required to make them permanent owners of the laptops.
Simon is a HNDII Mass Comm, Fed Poly Bida, Niger State.