…As FUNAAB VC reiterates commitment to staff devt
From Toluwa Agboluaje, Ibadan
DVC Prof. Clement Adeofun, Mr. Nelson Oruh and other participants at the training
A professor of Physics at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State , Olukayode Akinyemi, has called on the academics in Nigeria to focus on demand-driven and problem-solving research.
Prof. Akinyemi, who is the Director, Centre for Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment(CADAE) of the university made the call during a two-day leadership training for Audit Committee members of the University held at Le Ville and Suites Hotel Ltd, Aleshinloye, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The training, which had the theme:”Creativity Leadership and Management Techniques for World Bank Project Team,” was anchored by Mr. Nelson Oruh of McOrnels Consult , a Management Consultant and the Resource Person for the programme.
The professor said:”Academics should endure to carry out demand-driven research. There are all kinds of research but the one that will lead to national development as it is being done in America and Europe is the one that will make impact on the economy. Research that will address a problem and solve it. The one that can change the narrative of the country is the one that is demand-driven. With that we are solving problems.
“Allow students to look at particular problems and conduct research on them. With that, the students have solved the problem and we communicate its result to the government and the end users. That is the way to go”.
While speaking on the programme, the director of the Centre, said the World Bank insisted that there must have an audit committee and the chairman of the Centre must be a member of the Governing Council.
“The World Bank gives us the opportunity to learn about Audit Management and Project Management. That is why this training is being organized”, he said.
While stressing that leadership and training are essential for development, Mr. Oruh who is an author, a Management Consultant, Public Speaker and Business Analyst, said everything rises and falls on leadership. According to John Maxwell, “Leadership is everything, ” he said.
Oruh said one of the core goals of World Bank funding is to establish social enterprise partnership with institutions to transform the society and help people to meet global relevance.
“We have everything but we can’t achieve anything because of lack of ethical leadership. Most people don’t know what leadership is all about, and that is why we have problems with those on the seat of power. If the country will be transformed, a conference like this will be a great starting point. Leadership starts from self to other people. We need a paradigm that shifts emphasis from self to other people. Leadership is service ,not position. What we mostly have in Nigeria is people in position, not in leadership. We live in a country where ethical leadership should be constantly emphasized to change people’s perception. The most important aspect is ethical leadership.
“In an organization, leadership starts from the gate. Until we bring the right people to occupy the right position, things will remain the same way they are”, he said, pointing out that Purpose, People, Planet and Probity are the cornerstone of sustainable success in modern institutions which he also said are models for ethical leadership.
Declaring the workshop opened, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Felix Kolawole Salako, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Clement Adeofun, said the institution is committed to staff training and development.
“Our major objective is to train, to teach and carry out research with the aim of transforming the result into productive essence for us to move our nation forward. So the issue of manpower development is our utmost priority in the university.
“That’s why the university is striving hard to make sure it invests in capacity and capability. The university has been consistent despite all odds, making sure that leadership training, workshops, seminars and manpower development are constantly delivered at various levels.
“My admintration is committed to ensuring that the institution achieves all its core objectives and be ready to give necessary support where the needs be”, the VC said.
