In a bid to enhance sustainable environment, energy security, system integrity and climate change, the President, Society of Energy Administrators in Nigeria, Dr. Babatunde Adeboye has urged Nigerians especially the academia to support the development of Energy Service Management Bill.
Adeboye who spoke at the maiden Lagos State University Postgraduate Public Lecture held weekend at the institution with the theme: Connecting Town and Gown with the topic: Renewed Hope Agenda, The Role of the Academia; said the policy implementation will be highly commendable and considered as a renewed hope agenda of the present administration in the energy sector.
Speaking further on the topic: ‘Development of Energy Service Management Compliance Bill in Nigeria, The Role of Academia in Policy Implementation, Adeboye highlighted the role of the Academia in the policy implementation to include the establishment of a centre for training and research, establishment of a journal for the purpose and recognition of Energy management as a specialization.
He listed the benefits to include training and power supply, consultancy and contract management.
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Adeboye recommended the need to start Advanced Diploma Programmes in Energy Service Management, Technical Planning in LASU, for WAEC or NECO certificate holders who are aspiring to build a career as Energy Administrators in Lagos due to the establishment of Dangote Refinery, adding that Lagos State host highest numbers of energy consumers and the establishment of Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in Lagos State.
Also speaking at the lecture, the Executive Secretary of the Institute of Entrepreneurs, Nigeria, Prof. Rotimi Oladele advised stakeholders in the education sector to adjust the curriculum to enable tertiary institutions produce graduate that will be all out to solve societal issues in the country.
According to him, this is the only way for the country to attain the desired development.
Prof. Oladele who spoke on the topic of the lecture, ‘Renewed Hope Agenda, The Role of Academia’ highlighted the deficiency of higher education in Nigeria, which he said engender the situation where graduates from higher institutions are not really prepared for the future because they lack the requisite skills to fit in.
He added that the human capital development in the country is not in alignment with the human capital needs because; “we feed the labour market with graduates who have no idea of what it entails outside the walls of the universities.
To address this, Prof. Oladele said there is the need to rebrand and update curriculum in line with country’s resources.
According to him: “In this era of data driven society no university should be delighted to turn out Postgraduates that are not fit for the society.”
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello said while discussions dwell on the role of academia in advancing a renewed hope agenda, it is important to recognize the significant impact that universities and research institutions can have on shaping the future of our society.
The VC who was represented by the Dean Faculty of Communication, Prof. Olayinka Alawode added that it is through the collective efforts of academia, government, and industry that we can address the pressing challenges facing our world and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.
“Undoubtedly, the renewed hope agenda is the pivot upon which the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rode into power and is building his policies and actions to engender positive development in the country and the life of Nigerians as a whole.
“While the government might have its plans and programmes in place, you will agree with me that academia’s role in the actualization of a better nation cannot be overstated. Policies that stimulate sustained improvement in citizens’ lives are built on sound research and driven by innovation
“For the academia, our role is crucial in carrying out research, driving innovation, generating knowledge, and fostering critical thinking among the leaders. By engaging with communities, policy makers, and industry stakeholders, academics can contribute to the development of evidence-based solutions that address complex societal problems and promote sustainable development,” she added.
The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hon. Tolani Sule in his remarks stated that the academia plays a vital role in shaping and realizing the vision of the nation.
“Our academic institutions are hubs of knowledge creation and dissemination by conducting cutting edge research and disseminating findings, the academia can contribute valuable insight and solutions to address the pressing challenges facing our nation.
Education is the cornerstone of human capital development and by providing quality education, universities empower individuals to contribute meaningfully to the economy and society, driving sustainable development and inclusive growth.
To fully leverage the potential of the academia in advancing the renewed hope agenda, the Commissioner recommended strengthening research and innovation ecosystem, Promoting industry-academia collaboration, like the one we have today, town and gown and enhance quality and relevance of education.
“That is investing in curriculum development, faculty training and infrastructure to ensure that education remains relevant to the needs of the society and the demands of the labor market.”
The public lecture was attended by dignitaries from the university, industry and government officials.
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