GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state has said Nigeria’s vision of becoming one of the largest economy in the world by the year 2020 would only be attainable when science and technology are fully integrated into our nation’s socio -economic development process.
The governor harped that the dream might remain a mirage if proper premium is not placed on science and technology, just as he called for a change in attitude where leaders see science and technology as a tool to reposition the economy for the nation to experience progress.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the maiden Oyo State Science and Technology Summit held on Monday at the House of Chiefs in Ibadan, the state capital, Ajimobi, who was represented by his deputy, Otunba Moses Adeyemo further noted that developments in science and technology continued to alter the way people live and transact.
He emphasized on the imperativeness
of developing countries investing in quality education for youth and continuous skills training for workers and managers, stressing that the equitable expansion of Information Communication Technology (ICT) could be slowed down if the nation does not have access to reliable electricity to power those devices.
“Distinguished guests, as an engine of growth, the potential of technology is endless and still largely untapped in Africa and other developing world regions across the globe.
“Less developed countries not only lack skilled labour and capital, but also use these less efficiently. The inability to adopt and adapt technologies to raise productivity is the bane of national development in sub-Sahara Africa and other third world economies”, Ajimobi submitted.
Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Olowofela addressing the assembly
Also, in their separate remarks, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela and Special Adviser to Governor Ajimobi on Information and Communication Technology, Mogaji Niyi Ajao, highlighted the need for the country to be more self – reliant and develop innovative ways to diversify its economy and grow sustainably.
Stakeholders at the Summit also decried that countries in sub-Saharan Africa had high youth
unemployment, remained undeveloped decried high youth and continued to seek aid from developed countries because of their failure to have science and technologically driven economies.
At the summit, themed, “Repositioning the Economy Through Science and Technology: A Collective Responsibility”, the stakeholders in their various submissions lamented that the sub-Saharan Africa’s potential in technology as an engine of growth remained largely untapped.
Keynote speaker, Professor Ayodeji Oluleye of the University of Ibadan, who led the discourse underscored the need for Nigeria to take serious the repositioning of the economy from mono product to one in which science and technology takes centre place.
He observed that the nation failed to record remarkable economic development, despite its huge potentials in science and technology, because individuals only utilized their potentials to satisfy themselves without consideration for the collective development of the nation’s system as a whole.
The University Don charged government to provide the needed infrastructure, enabling environment and access to capital for all Nigerians if the country is to fully tap its potentials in science and technology and engender economic development.
“The countries we call powerful or developed are called so because they are technologically driven and the reason we continue to ask for aid is because we have not focused on science. Our people have great potentials and many have demonstrated their abilities in science and technology individually.
“One of the biggest problems with implementation of policy in Nigeria is that everybody sees himself or herself as an individual. You don’t see what role you have to play in the system and without the system being well, no matter how rich you are, you are still poor and that is how we may continue to be poor collectively even though we have rich people among us,” he said.
Speaking, Director, Academic Planning, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Professor Ayodele Adegbola, clearly identified the potentials of science and technology to drive the economy in manufacturing, self – sustainability, agriculture, food production, scientific research work, technological development.
While averring that no nation had become a developed country without the input of science and technology, Adegbola advocated for the
collaboration of government, non -governmental organisations, research
institutes, universities to reposition the economy through science and technology.
The epoch – making event had in attendance the Acting Rector, The Polytechnic Ibadan, Mr Femi Ipadeola; Secretary to Oyo State Government, Mr Olalekan Alli; Chairperson, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs Aderonke Makanjuola; students, innovators, scientists, technologists, among others.
In the aftermath of the tragic killing of Iyanda Damilola, allegedly by a police officer during a nightclub altercation in Ogbomoso, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) has clarified that the victim was not a student of the institution.
Damilola, identified as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was reportedly shot dead during a fracas at a club in Ogbomoso on Monday.
Contrary to initial reports, LAUTECH’s Public Relations Officer, Akin Fadeyi, emphasized that the incident did not occur within the university premises.
“The incident occurred around 2 am. It did not occur in the institution. It happened in a club, and in LAUTECH, we don’t have a club or hotel,” stated Fadeyi during the institution’s 16th convocation ceremonies.
He further clarified, “They were fighting and the student who got killed was not our student. So, what happened had nothing to do with LAUTECH. It has nothing to do with our convocation.”
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has taken action, detaining the officers involved in the incident. According to the command spokesman, Osifeso Adewale, the officers were dispatched to the nightclub to quell a disturbance during the party.
“The incident worsened, leading to the firing of ‘warning shots’ by the officers. This led to one death,” Osifeso stated in a Thursday statement.
The deceased’s brother, Oluwafemi Iyanda, a LAUTECH graduate, confirmed that the tragic event occurred after attending his convocation ceremony and heading to an after-party with his late sibling.
“All operatives involved in the incident including Inspr Rasheed Saheed are currently under detention at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku,” Osifeso added.
The Management of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State has taken swift action by suspending Mfonobong Udoudom, a lecturer in the General Studies Department, following allegations of sexual harassment involving a female student.
In a statement issued by the university’s spokesperson, Okwunka Omeaku, on Tuesday, it was emphasized that UNN maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual misconduct, particularly between staff and students.
Omeaku highlighted that the university has a comprehensive Sexual Harassment Policy in place to regulate interactions among its academic community.
“The management of the University of Nigeria has suspended Mr (not a Professor) Mfonobong David Udoudom, a lecturer in our General Studies division, who was caught in a video allegedly harassing a female student,” the statement read.
The suspension, effective immediately and indefinite, awaits the outcome of a disciplinary panel established by the university to investigate the incident thoroughly.
According to reports, the lecturer allegedly threatened the female student, asserting that she would not pass his course unless she acquiesced to sexual advances.
The situation escalated after the students completed an examination for the course, with the lecturer purportedly warning some female students of dire consequences if they did not comply with his demands.
The female student, in a courageous move, informed her husband of the harassment, who subsequently filed a complaint with the university authorities.
File photo of the Acting Registrar, Adewunmi Joseph Ogunjimi
The Oyo State Government has announced the appointment of Mr. Adewunmi Joseph Ogunjimi as the Acting Registrar and Mr. David Olukola Taiwo as the Acting Bursar of The Polytechnic, Ibadan.
According to a statement released by Soladoye Adewole, the Polytechnic’s Public Relations Officer, the appointment letters were issued on behalf of the State Government by the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, and were dated 8th April. These appointments were endorsed by the Acting Rector of the institution, Dr. Taiwo Lasisi.
Adewunmi Joseph Ogunjimi, the newly appointed Acting Registrar, brings a wealth of administrative experience to his new role. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Deputy Registrar of the Directorate of Academic Affairs at The Polytechnic, Ibadan. Ogunjimi holds a B.Sc degree in Psychology from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and an MSc in Industrial Psychology from the University of Ibadan.
His journey in academia began at Prospect High School, Aba Nla, where he completed his secondary education between 1973 and 1978. Ogunjimi’s tenure at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, spans several years, during which he held various administrative positions, showcasing his prowess as an administrative wizard.
David Olukola Taiwo, the newly appointed Acting Bursar, comes with extensive experience in financial management. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Chief Accountant at The Polytechnic, Ibadan. Taiwo began his career at the institution in March 1994, joining as an Accountant II. Over the years, he climbed the ranks to become the Chief Accountant in 2015. Taiwo holds multiple qualifications in accounting and is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCE).
His contributions within the Bursary Department, including roles such as Head of the Treasury Unit and Head of the Final Accounts Unit, underscore his proficiency in financial matters.
Both Ogunjimi and Taiwo are described as family-oriented individuals, happily married and blessed with responsible children.
The appointments of Mr. Adewunmi Joseph Ogunjimi and Mr. David Olukola Taiwo signify a new chapter in the administrative landscape of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, as they assume their respective roles with dedication and expertise.