As part of the Chamber’s strategies to forge collaborations with tertiary institutions in South West for the purpose of accessing abounding researches and technologies to drive economic development in the region, Abeokuta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABEOCCIMA) recently paid a scheduled courtesy visit to the Acting Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, Professor Babatunde Ekanola.
In his address, ABEOCCIMA President, Sir Jare Oyesola stated that formidable collaboration could be formed towards harnessing the abounding opportunities research in the citadel of learning could have to drive significant economic development in the South Western region and the nation at large even as the country is witnessing huge economic downturn occasioned by high inflation, accumulation of debt servicing among others.
The President noted further that if the government can improve on research funding for academic institutions, private and other agencies, this scientific advancement will help to eliminate poverty and improve home grown economic development, hence improve the quality of life.
Oyesola added that most research activities are been carried out in the universities, but some of the universities lack equipment for carrying out research projects.
He stressed further that as a result of lack of research facilities in Nigeria’s Universities and research institutes, its necessary to collaborate with other agencies including the private establishments.
The Chamber’s President during the visit specifically highlighted areas of interest the Chamber would like to forge effective collaboration with University of Ibadan which include; bird and cow prevention technologies for rice, maize and cassava farms, technologies for harvesting, shelling and processing of melon oil into vegetable oil and packaging for international market, palm kernel oil refinery technology, technologies for the cultivation, harvesting, processing and storage of vegetables, tomatoes and pepper for international market, block chain technology application for industry and the Chamber would also appreciate exposition to other latest inventions that could be of interest to the Chamber.
On his part, the Ag. Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Professor Babatunde Ekanola stated that University of Ibadan would ensure effective collaboration with ABEOCCIMA to design a framework capable of developing a research based economy expected to solidify and build a stronger economy for the region and Nigeria as a whole.
He stressed that there is need for appropriate research to drive Nigeria’s economic activities and the use of raw and natural resources as this is the only way to cushion the effect of the current recession and inflation the nation is currently witnessing.
While commending the Chamber’s leadership for the visit the highly placed higher institution of learning, Prof. Ekanola said the visit is to bring up avenue to expose industrialists, entrepreneur’s and other economic operators to collaborate on the issues affecting the economy to ensure a more viable economic development through research and innovations.
Prof. Ekanola added that the visit would effectively narrow the gap between the academic and the industry through its effective collaborations and to expose the results of the research to end – users to stimulate the economy and to ensure industry – driven / sponsored researches become prevalent at the institution.
