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Tasking Nigerian academics on finding solution to the nation’s economic woes
It is not an understatement to say that Nigeria’s economic problems have overwhelmed the current leadership of the country. Otherwise why would a loaf of bread that was sold at N300 a few months ago now sell at N1,500 and still counting.
Foodstuff generally has become luxury. Many families go to bed with empty stomachs on a daily basis and we don’t seem to see anything wrong with that.
And in the midst of this,our politicians are still cruising in affluence at the detriment of the poor masses,and we continue to pretend that all is well.
Everyday the current federal government led by Sen Ahmed Bola Tinubu continues to bring up one funny policy or the other. The latest being the payment of salaries to unemployed persons in the country. A nation that lacks such a database. At the last check the nationwide Census that so much money was sunk in the last administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was dumped at the zero hour for reasons Nigerians are yet to understand.
Political watchers are asking if the employed in the country are paid at all, before mooting unemployment allowances to applicants. Before now,it was student loans, the current myth is salaries to unemployed persons.
The question is, which of the policies have seen or will see the light of the day?
Where exactly have we gotten it wrong? Everything seems to be topsy turvy in Nigeria. Are we lacking human or material resources? The answer is capital NO. Then what is the problem?
We may be forced to believe and adduce that the missing link remains good leadership. And how do we get good leadership when our general elections are fraught with brazen irregularities, intentionally induced by ‘good-for-nothing politicians’ in connivance with corrupt Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials who do not mean well for this country.
Why is it that every system that worked in the other climes shall never work in Nigeria and still we pride ourselves as the giant of Africa? Our citadels, talking about the ivory tower, are almost like tourist centres. Lecturers are denied research allowances deliberately to stop them from carrying out their statutory roles of teaching, learning and research. Day in, day out, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) fights for survival.
It was recently revealed that most lecturers, including professors have been on the same salary scales for over fifteen years and only God knows if relief will ever come their way. Not to digress so much from the focus of this discourse, the fact remains that despite all odds, lecturers of Nigerian universities still come up with wonderful research findings, which in most cases are neglected or outrightly abandoned.
For instance, Prof Falilatu Taiwo Ademiluyi of the Chemical Engineering Department of the Rivers State University (RSU) had after a painstaking research come up with the findings the fuel could be gotten from cassava as against crude oil, which she said is fast dwindling. According to the astute professor, cassava can be found in virtually all the 774 local government areas of the country, to simplify the production of fuel in Nigeria.
But have the authorities concerned taken cognisance of this all-important research finding,not to talk of putting it into practice? This, she said, would save us from the endless turnaround maintenance of the imported giant refineries that has over the years become obsolete and alleviate the sufferings of the masses. To what extent has this research finding been put into use?
Another renowned scholar, Prof Emmanuel Akubugwo of the Department of Biochemistry, Abia State University (ABSU) had in his inaugural lecture titled,”Living with Death:Fact or Fantasy” posited that man would be better off if he cultivates the attitude of living friendly with his environment. This, Prof Emmanuel Akubugwo said, could be achieved by maintaining a healthy lifestyle devoid of hazardous drugs, among others.
The question again is what have our leaders been doing with plethora of sound research from our Universities? Another Researcher from the Rivers State University, Mechanical Engineering Department, Prof Barinaadaa Thaddeus Lebele-Alawa after his research on thermal power, submitted that thermal power is critical to the development of any nation. In fact he described thermal power as the bedrock of human civilisation.
Again, where is that research finding and what has the Nigerian government done with it? These are just a few emanating from some of our reservoirs of knowledge, across the country.
It is worth mentioning that all the universities across Nigeria are rolling out research findings on a daily basis and our political leaders are globetrotting looking for solutions or Messiah to our nagging economic problems. Is it intentional, omission or commission? Whatever be the case, someone should remind our leaders that technology is not transferable, you either develop your own to soothe your peculiar needs or you steal another person’s (country’s) own. And no wonder, Ajaokuta Steel industry has remained uncompleted for decades, with trillions of Naira sunken.
The Federal Government, ably led by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu should constitute a high power Committee, composed of intellectuals and technocrats to garner all the research findings from our universities,with a view to harnessing them for the development of the country. This is critical because posterity will not forgive us if we fail.
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Court remands 2 over alleged fraud, cyber crime
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NiMet predicts 3-day thundery, sunny weather conditions
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms and sunshine from Sunday to Tuesday across the country.
NiMet weather outlook released on Tuesday in Abuja forecast sunny skies on Sunday, with few patches of cloud over most parts of the northern region during the morning hours.
According to NiMet, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Kaduna and Taraba in a hazy condition over parts of Yobe and Borno States later in the day.
“Cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are anticipated over the North central region during the morning hours.
“In the afternoon/evening periods, isolated thunderstorms are envisaged over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Nasarawa,
Benue, Kwara, and Kogi States.
“Cloudy skies with spells of sunshine are expected over the inland states with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Imo and Abia,” it said.
The agency envisaged the coast to be predominantly cloudy with chances of thunderstorms over parts of Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, during the morning period.
It anticipated isolated thunderstorms over parts of, Oyo, Edo, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Ogun and Delta States, while widespread thunderstorms are expected over most parts of the coast later in the day.
According to NiMet, sunny intervals with few cloud patches are anticipated over the northern region during the Monday morning hours.
It predicted isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kaduna and Taraba States, later in the day.
“The North Central should be cloudy with sunshine intervals during the morning hours with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kwara, Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory, during the afternoon/evening periods.
“The southern region should be predominantly
cloudy with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Enugu, Abia, Imo, Cross River, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States, during the morning hours.
“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over the Inland states of Imo, Abia, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Enugu, Ebonyi and Osun States, while wide spread thunderstorms are expected over most parts of the Coast,” it said.
NiMet forecast sunny atmosphere with patches of cloud over the northern region during the
forecast period, with chances of Isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kaduna, Adamawa, Taraba and Bauchi states later on Tuesday.
According to the agency, the North Central, should be cloudy with sunshine intervals during the morning hours.
“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are envisaged over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara, Niger and Benue States.
“Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine
are expected over the inland and coastal areas of the South during the morning periods.
“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Imo, Ondo, Abia, Edo, Enugu, Ebonyi and Oyo States, while widespread thunderstorms should prevail over most parts of the coast,” it said.
It urged the public to take adequate precaution as strong winds may precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur.
The agency advised airline operators to get updated weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.
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Constitution Amendment: Barau harps on collaboration with all stakeholders
Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Jibrin Barau has called for robust collaboration among all stakeholders to drive the ongoing constitution amendment process to a successful conclusion.
Barau, also Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution said this on Saturday in Abuja at a Joint Retreat for the Secretariat and Consultants to the Senate and House of Representatives committees on the review of the Constitution.
He commended the synergy between the constitution review secretariat and consultants, saying this will create harmony in the workings of both committees.
Barau assured of carry out the review of the Constitution by a thorough aggregation of the yearnings of Nigerians from all walks of life.
“This is through public hearings and collection of memoranda from various interests throughout the country, as well as embarking on a progressive engagement with state governments and legislatures and the federal government to achieve consensus on all issues.
“We must work together. Our country is facing a lot of challenges and this is the right time to fashion out a Constitution that will go in line with the wishes and aspirations of the people of this country.
“The world is dynamic and this compels all serious countries to go with modernity and fashion their laws in accordance with contemporary happenings within their peculiarities.
“We have started on a progressive note of collaboration.
“Let us add momentum to this very important collaboration within our ranks in order to achieve a result that will help in driving the process of making prospective peace, justice and fair play in the way we run our affairs as a nation,” he said.
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