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Tertiary institutions in Nigeria have been urged to embrace demand-driven research and courses capable of solving the country’s peculiar challenges.
The institutions were also advised to pay closer attention to technical courses and ICT that would make their certificates globally competitive.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State who charged the institutions while inaugurating an information technology building donated by his wife, Florence to her alma mater, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, as part of activities marking her 59th birthday, described technology as the bedrock of development,
He said without deliberate focus on technical education, Nigeria would continue to produce graduates who would not be able to contribute effectively to the country’s socio-economic development.
The governor further emphasised the importance of ICT, saying that most of the successful entrepreneurs in the world made their fortunes through information and communication technology.
The governor said the state had taken the lead in tackling this problem by establishing the first technical university in Nigeria which he said was equipped to impart `practical and practicable’ skills in its students.
He urged the students to take the advantage of the opportunities provided by the new ICT centre to improve their skills.
The governor said: “Our new education structure in Oyo State is built around technology because the illiterates of tomorrow are not those who cannot read and write but those who cannot harness the power of technology.
“This is why I am calling on our tertiary institutions in Nigeria to embrace demand-driven research and courses that are capable of solving our peculiar challenges as a country.
“My wife has, through this donation, contributed to the advancement of technology in Nigeria. I urge you, the students, to take the advantage of this facility to horn your skill in technology.’’
In her address, Florence said she was motivated into donating the ICT Centre by the growing influence of information and communication technology and how it is changing the world.
“I have been engulfed with a burning passion to spread its gospel as far as I can. In furtherance of this, I have built and completely equipped three ICT Centres which are today operating at maximum capacity.
“Today, to the glory of God and in commemoration of my 59thbirthday, I am donating the 4th ICT Centre to my alma mater, the Polytechnic Ibadan because I realise there is a great need for this intervention in the institution,” she said.
Akinremi Feyisipo, Ibadan
