Knowledge economy key to national devt, says Bowen VC

The new Vice Chancellor of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Prof. Oyebamiji Babalola, yesterday, stressed the need for Nigeria to develop  a knowledge-based economy, for the country to witness progress and national development.

“This is because investment in education is an investment in the development of the country, which will eventually lead to a knowledge economy with special reference to learning, creative and open knowledge economy.”
 
He said Nigeria needs to focus more on human capital development, the importance of skills in a service economy, growth in knowledge, intensive service sectors with emphasis on technology and productivity.
 
He appealed to the Federal Government to increase, substantially, budget on education and must be determined to monitor its judicious utilisation.
 
He decried the incessant academic and non-academic unions’ strikes as well as student unrest, saying such ugly occurrences would be stopped or minimised, especially in public institutions, if the needful are done.
   
Oyebamiji also appealed to the Federal Government to honour all its agreements with the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), saying, “Nigeria is perhaps one of the countries where its university intellectuals are not properly treated.”
 
Speaking on how he hoped to transform Bowen, Oyebamiji said campus community has the requisite facilities to upgrade the institution to a smart campus. 
 
“Within the few weeks I assumed office, I have met the staff to intimate them with my dream and vision and to prepare them for the task ahead. My administration will make room for teamwork and openness, and create an academic freedom environment for research development, as well as protect staff welfare for efficiency and productivity.