Nigeria’s Research Fellows can End Country’s Woes, Says Varsity Don

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, has said that professors and research fellows of various fields in the Nigerian universities have the capacity to end the country’s technological backwardness if supported by government.

Ahaneku, who spoke during the 41st inaugural lecture of the university, said Nigeria has professionals in all fields of endeavour, and if given the opportunity to put their wealth of knowledge into practical use, could change the country’s narrative.

The vice-chancellor used Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, who delivered the inaugural lecture as an example, saying that his recently commissioned Life International Hospital in Awka, which parades the best of medical equipment in the world, could end medical tourism by Nigerian leaders to UK, India and other parts of the world.

Ahaneku said like Ikechebelu, a Professor of Obstetrician and Gynecology at the Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, whose hospital was borne out of years of research, if supported, Nigeria’s professors could commence research in various fields that can help infrastructural development in Nigeria.

“Professionals in the university system must strive to leave legacies they would be remembered for in their profession like Prof Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu. I insist that there is nothing better than professors professing what they are experts in. I commend Prof Ikechebelu for standing tall among his contemporaries in giving back to the society in his area of specialty,” he said.

Details later…

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