Inaugural lecture: NOUN VC tasks academics on topical issues

By Martin Paul
Abuja

National Open University (NOUN) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu, has challenged serving professors in the university system to go out and deliver lectures on topical issues that would assist in development.
Adamu made the call at the weekend at the opening of the 11th inaugural lecture of the university, delivered by Professor Nda Mundi, dean faculty of agricultural sciences.
He said it was not sufficient for university lecturers to remain on campuses without proving the professorship in which they were being respected for in the academia.

“It is incumbent on professors to go out there and marshal lectures on topical issues critical for nation’s development”, he said, adding that the topic of the lecture was apt in view of government moves to diversify economy to agricultural sector.
Speaking on the topic: Agricultural Innovations and Rural Poverty alleviation in Nigeria”, the lecturer stressed the need for innovation in the agricultural sector.

“Any innovation is, therefore, an idea, practice or product that is perceived as new by the potential users or adopters. Improved seed varieties, agro-chemicals and fertilisers are example of agricultural innovation”, he said.
Mundi, in his recommendation, said among others, that there was the need for extension services agencies to be made efficient to acquaint farmers with recent development in agriculture sector.
“There is need to increase the level of awareness of the rural populace to the importance of education as majority of rural women were not educated. This would make the rural women to use the various opportunities that may open to them in getting out of poverty”, Mundi said.
He also advised that credit facilities, through banks, should be provided for farmers and the procedures should made simple”, he added.

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