Amosun tells tertiary institutions to embrace research

Governor Ibikunle Amosun

Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State on Wednesday urged tertiary institutions in the country to embrace research, in order to solve the nation’s challenges.

Amosu gave the advice while speaking at the 35th Annual Conference of the Nigeria Society of Biochemistry And Molecular Biology (NSBMB), held at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun.

The conference has as its theme: “Catalysing National Development through Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.”

It was co-sponsored by the university and the society.

Amosu, who was represented by Mrs Module Mujota, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, explained that in most civilised economies, government and private sector decisions and policies were often times, products of empirical, evidence-based research.

He added that the hallmark of our tertiary institutions, research centres and accredited researchers, was, therefore, the ability to solve the nation’s problems.

“Our universities must take the driver’s position by focusing on strategic research and planning, as they paraded the best brains and assets,’’ the governor said.

Amosun, however, urged governments at all levels and private concerns to continuously and creatively fund research, which by nature required persistence, patience, focus and commitment to innovation and exactitude.

He said that the theme of the conference was mostly apt at this crucial time when we need diverse solutions to our monumental challenges.

Amosun said that the rich mixed-grill of professionals and eggheads at the conference was an indication that the intellectual intercourse and the results of this convergence would positively run-on state and national development.

Also speaking, Dr Gloria Elemi, Director-General (DG), Federal Institute of Industrial Research, (FIIRO) Oshodi, urged the Federal Government to invest more in science and technology, to accelerate national development.

Elemi identified poor funding and corruption as major obstacle hindering research in the nation’s institutions.

“There is no way the nation can achieve meaningful national development without massive investment in research in our tertiary institutions,’’ she said.

Elemi also said that research carried out in the universities should be translated to technology that would be useful in the nation’s industrial sector.

She said that lack of research in our universities made the Federal Government to spend over $12 billion annually on human vaccines.

The DG, however, urged the Federal Government to put in place system and policies where our technology could be sold abroad and generate foreign earnings for the country.