Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wamakko, has challenged the universities to undertake researches that would help in seeking solutions to the myriads of problems facing the country.
Wamakko spoke on Monday in Sokoto while opening a conference organised by the Faculty of Science, Sokoto State University, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
The conference, jointly organised by the Faculty and an NGO, The Algebra Group, has as its theme, “Impact of Basic and Applied Sciences on Resource Acquisition and Management.’’
The Speaker of the state Assembly, Lawalli Zayyana, represented the governor on the occasion.
Wamakko said, “The universities should also do more researches to further improve the living standard of the people.
“This is with the view to solving problems like those on poverty, unemployment and the environment, among others”.
The governor pledged more support to the university to make it an excellent institution.
The institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nuhu Yaqub, noted that basic and applied sciences had helpedhumanity in solving challenges in the medical field.
“It is no longer in dispute that science and technology have advanced human civilization beyond imagination,’’ Yaqub added.
The Special Adviser to Wamakko on Higher Education, Prof Gajam Ardo, pledged that the university would produce globally competitive graduates.
“This conference will no doubt articulate and organise arguments in resource acquisition and management.
“It will equally help the government in its quest to find and manage new natural resources in the state,’’ Ardo added.
The Vice-Chancellor, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof. Riskuwa Shehu, who spoke through Prof. Sani Dangoggo, said the conference was timely, especially as the country has scarce resources.
The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi and guest speaker, Prof. Lawal Bilbis, stressed the need for more attention to be given to the provision of quality education at all levels to fast track national growth and development.
“This should be done in terms of the provision of facilities, space and a crop of well-motivated teachers,’’ Bilbis, represented by Prof. Yusuf Sa’idu, said. (NAN)