The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS has emphasized the role of members of the fourth estate of the realm in pushing the development of Nigeria.
She stated this at the 4th Annual Education Summit of the Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria (EWAN), held on December 19 at Radisson Blu, Ikeja, Lagos. The summit, with the theme: Research for National Development: Nigeria’s Internal Security in Focus, featured a keynote presentation by former Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS; panel sessions moderated by seasoned media experts including renowned broadcaster, Mrs. Bimbo Oloyede and a research presentation by Co-Director of the Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development, UNILAG, Professor Taibat Lawanson.
The event attracted policy makers, administrators, veteran journalists and eggheads from various sectors including the former Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun; Director, Office of International Relations, Partnership and Prospects (IRPP), UNILAG, Professor Ismail Ibraheem; Director, Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Centre (ESDC) of UNILAG and First Occupier Professor of the Dr. Mike Adenuga (Jnr) Professorial Chair in Entrepreneurship Studies, Professor Adebisi Sunday,
While congratulating EWAN for selecting an apt theme for its 2023 Summit, Professor Ogunsola added that “Nigeria has the wings to file but we cannot go anywhere without improving our security.” She stressed that there can be no development without security.
Her words, “whichever way we talk about it, research in any field or endeavour is about the truth, and it may be difficult but universities are uniquely placed to do this, to pursue the right research and produce the appropriate manpower with the precise skills, temperament and character to come up with the accurate intelligence to improve our security. There can be no development without security and I thank EWAN for hitting the nail on the head as always. You cannot have security without the right man power and creating the right manpower is the job we are committed to”.
Delivering the Keynote Address, Professor Ogundipe who is the current Chairman of Lagos State Research and Innovation Council commended the Federal Government for its recent decision to exempt tertiary institutions from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
He highlighted the historical perspectives on internal security challenges in Nigeria, importance of internal security for national development, economic implications of insecurity, impact of insecurity on national development as well as role of research and innovation in improving Nigeria’s internal security
His words, “the topic of the day is a touchy one. This is so because Nigeria is currently facing serious internal security issues in different regions. This may have changed throughout the nation’s history for a variety of political, economic, and social reasons. The nation’s residents suffer grave consequences as a result of the crisis this causes, including tension, displacement, and fatalities. Innovation and research must be used as a true tool to address these crises. To set the scene for this speech, let me briefly discuss a few of the most recent internal security issues in Nigeria”.
Professor Ogundipe recommended several steps which Nigeria must adopt to establish a strong internal security framework, and protect the security and welfare of the people. These include utilisation of state-of-the-art technologies; implementation of evidence-based tactics which must constantly adjust to new threats as well as adoption of research and innovation.
He noted that a significant portion of the nation’s internal crisis can be resolved “if the government makes use of the wealth of research expertise that exists in the nation. In light of this, I am calling on the federal and state governments to look at the capabilities and potential found in the ecosystem of research and innovation in order to address the diverse crises that exist throughout the nation”. The full text of his presentation is available here.
