Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has charged Nigerian universities to double their efforts in research and innovation to enable them to proffer solutions to the myriad of challenges bedevilling the country.
Oborevwori who gave the charge while receiving the management of Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Ugbomro, led by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, in his office, said it is only through cutting-edge research that universities can solve the peculiar problems facing the nation, especially in their host states.
He said: “As a university, you are doing well, but one thing I must tell you is to encourage the school to continue to do more relevant research. As a specialised institution, there is a lot to gain from the university. So, I encourage you to go into more relevant research.”
Earlier, Rim-Rukeh said the university, established in 2007 has established several centres of excellence and contributed immensely to environmental reclamation and sustainability, especially in the oil-polluted community of Obi-Ayagha in Ughelli south local government council.
He assured of the university’s commitment to excellence in research and innovation for national development, as well as the training of Niger Delta youths on various skills that would make them employable.
