Educationist Seeks Support For Academic Research In National Development

Stakeholders within the University community and the Nigerian Government have been urged to evolve measures that promote and support academic research for sustainable national development.

The lead presenter at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) 50th anniversary colloquium, held in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, southern Nigeria, Professor Abiodun Adebayo, emphasised the importance of individual and government efforts to enhance socioeconomic development

On his presentation on the theme “University of Calabar and its Contributions to National Development,” Professor Adebayo said that since the inception of UNICAL, its graduates were contributing to the growth of society in their unique fields of endeavours.

He said, “not one person can build a university. It is a collective collaboration. However, the owner of the institution, which is the Nigerian Government needs to be responsible. It must bear the lion’s share in ensuring that it provides all the relevant facilities.

“There is TETFUND, but it is not enough. The Nigerian Government must go beyond that and begin to create adequate facilities particularly facilities that would be centres dedicated for research, such that would be attractive to the global community as centres of excellence.”

“The Nigerian Government should dedicate some of the centres of research excellence for science, social sciences and indeed other programmes in the Humanities. The Nigerian Government needs to take the lead; government needs to be more intentional by giving support to our local content rather than look elsewhere for professionals. Let us fix our research centres, hospitals, industries. We have great minds and need to engage them productively,” Professor Adebayo stressed.

Taking global space

He said; “we need to also encourage our researchers to begin look at the global sector for funding, take advantage of events at the global stage. Universities must not confine themselves to their locality, to Nigeria alone. To be noticed and considered relevant educationally, universities must be acquainted with events on the global stage. We need to take our space within the comity of nations.”

The Professor of biochemistry and immediate past vice chancellor of Covenant University in Ogun State, south-west Nigeria, acknowledged that graduates of the University of Calabar were making significant contributions to national development in their different fields of endeavours within the past 50 years.

He enjoined all former students to support the institution by giving back to the community.

Fostering knowledge sharing

In a remark, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Florence Obi said that the theme was chosen as a testament to the institution’s dedication to fostering intellectual discourse, collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Professor Obi stated, “as we celebrate our achievements, we look to the future with optimism and anticipation. Our institution remains committed to providing a transformative educational experience that prepares students to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.”

The colloquium, which was attended by the Pro-Chancellor of the university, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Udom Ekpoudom (retired), featured an extensive collegial panel dialogue on the theme with guests such as a former Vice Chancellor of UNICAL, Professor James Epoke and Professor Ngozi Osarenren, a professor of counselling at the Faculty of Education, University of Lagos, Nigeria amongst others.

Mercy Chukwudiebere