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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged Nigerian universities to go into research to produce drones and other technologies that would help combat insecurity both on their campuses and in the nation in general.
The President gave this charge yesterday during the occasion of the 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st Joint Convocation Ceremonies of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM).
President Tinubu, represented by the Minister for Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, while stating that education and security are the best tools for development and civilisation in any society, said his administration is not unaware of the security challenges faced by the university.
Speaking through the Vice Chancellor of University of Jos, Prof Tanko Ishaya, who represented the Minister, the President said his administration is determined to continue to do its best to make all institutions of learning across the country conducive and safe for all learners and managers of educational institutions.
He, however, challenged academics on the need to work and develop tools and materials necessary to enhance the detection and tracking of security breaches to make Nigeria safe saying, “The combat of insecurity in the 21st century has gone beyond the physical running around by security operatives carrying guns to trace crime perpetrators.
“Our universities should therefore, be engaged in research aimed at production and utilization of drones and other technology driven solutions to help combat the menace of insecurity on our campuses and beyond.
“The officers and men of the Nigerian military are doing an excellent job in this direction and we shall continue to support them in all ramifications.”
He said the Federal Government will continue to prioritize education with improved funding through capital appropriation and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund) and urged managers of the university’ system to be accountable and prudent in the application of the resources.
The President said that the specialized universities for the study of agriculture should also key into the Agriculture and Livestock Transformation effort of his administration for maximum impact.
“Commercial and mechanized agriculture must become our way of life while the training of manpower in agriculture, collaboration with organisations, the development and release of improved crop varieties by the university should be consistent to align with the policy of my administration to tackle and address national food insecurity,” he said.
He stated that the title of the Convocation Lecture “The Complex Relationship Between Insecurity and Food Systems in Nigeria” was well chosen to enlighten everyone on the menace of food shortfalls and its complexities.
He commended the various collaborators who have continued to interface with the university towards the actualisation of the Federal Government agenda for national self-sufficiency in food production and job creation and enjoined them to do even better.
The President, while congratulating the graduating students, said the need for trained farmers who are able to deploy the use of technology and scientific know-how was more apt now than any other time as the nation is faced with the challenge of food insecurity.
“With your wealth of knowledge in contemporary skills in agriculture, you should count yourself lucky to have been equipped to provide services and expertise that will create wealth for you and employment for our youths,” he told the graduates.
Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Senator Joy Emodi, acknowledged the mission of the University as that of advancing agricultural research, providing quality education in agricultural and related disciplines, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and developing innovative solutions for food security and rural development in Nigeria
She rejoiced with the graduates saying, “The knowledge you have acquired should therefore, trigger your creative and innovative abilities to stimulate agricultural production and entrepreneurships for enhanced economic growth in line with Mr. Presidents’ agricultural and economic renewed hope agenda.
The Vice Chancellor of JOSTUM, Prof. Isaac Itodo, thanked President Bola Tinubu, for placing high value on education as panacea for national development.
Itodo who explained that the joint convocation ceremonies are historic in the University as they dispose of the accumulated effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, noted that a total of 22,027 students were being awarded with conventional Bachelor degrees, Sandwich bachelor degrees, Postgraduate degrees among others.
While appreciating the President for the numerous projects in the university, Itodo who lamented the security threat to lives and property in the school appealed to President Tinubu to approve the opening up of the main access road to the University from the Agan Toll Plaza on the Makurdi-Lafia road and urgently release of funds for the perimeter fencing of the University to improve the security of lives and property on the campus.
