Prof Eni Njoku: Former minister of power calls for synergy between govt, policies, research

By Agency Report

The former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo has called for synergy between government policies, research, and industrial needs so as to fast track national development.

Nebo made the call in Nsukka on Wednesday while delivering the 15th Eni Njoku Memorial Lecture titled: "Science and Technology as Allies with Governance in Wealth Creation and Poverty Eduction,"

Held at the Princess Alexandria Auditorium, University of  Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

He warned that without this synergy the nation would continue to  witness low development, resulting in over-bloated labour market.

"There is urgent need for a synergy   between government policies research, industry needs so as to boost national development.

"Currently, this connection is lacking in education sector and government in the country.

"Without the connection, the nation will continue to witness poor development and her labour market will forever remain over-bloated," he said.

Nebo was the 12th Vice Chancellor of UNN, and the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye, Ekiti State.

He commended Njoku who he said used his wealth of knowledge to proffer solutions to some important national problems through his research works.

"We are remembering and celebrating  Njoku because he used his intellectual prowess and research to proffer solutions to many problems as well as contribute to national development.

"I commend UNN's Department of Biological science and family of Njoku for sustaining the memorial lecture in honour of the scientist and intellectual icon," he said.

The former minister also applauded Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo State for the infrastructural development going on in the state, especially for completing the Owerri-Okigwe Road project.

In a remark, Prof Charles Igwe, the present  Vice-Chancellor of UNlN who was represented by his Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof.Pat Okpoko thanked the Faculty for organising the lecture.

Igwe  expressed delight in the quality of a lecturer like Nebo chosen to deliver this year's lecture.

"I commend the faculty in its wisdom to choose former minister of power, former VC of UNN and pioneer VC, Oye Etiti Federal University and powerful man of God to deliver the lecture.

" I promised, I will adopt the salient points raised by Nebo in this lecture  to further reposition UNN.

Speaking, Mr Uzoma Nwokorie, one of the special guests at the event and the Managing Director of UZ Investment Limited, promised to assist the faculty to upgrade her central laboratory.

Earlier, Prof Emeka Nweze  the Dean of the faculty  thanked guests who attended the event from different walks of life.

Nweze noted that the Njoku  bi-annual lecture provided opportunity for the faculty to reflects on the unique impactful and inspiring life of an outstanding compatriot.

The Dean explained that, the lecture had was held last in 2018 as a result of COVID-19 global pandemic as well as last Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) nationwide strike that lasted for eight months.

" I commend, Board Faculty of Biological Sciences for approving the event to hold in my first year of deanship rather than the usual way of having it in the Dean's second year,"he said.

Nweze solicited for support in upgrading the faculty's Eni Njoku Library and the Central Laboratory, which he said were both vital for effective research and learning in the faculty and the university at large.

"The lecture series is a bi-annual event organised by the faculty  to celebrate  the life and times of a renowned Nigerian scholar, teacher, administrator and scientist.

"late Njoku was the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos and the first indigenous Vice Chancellor of UNN,"he said.

The Eni Njoku lecture series was established in 1981 by the faculty in conjunction with the family of  Njoku as a way to immortalise the legend,"dean said

Dignitaries present during the lecture include: Prof Malachy Okwueze, Deputy Chief of staff who represented Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

And Chief Declan Emelumba, Commissioner for Information and Starategy who represented Gov Hope Uzodimma of Imo state.

(NAN).