From Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
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Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Dr. Temitope Alake has called on the Federal Government to shift its attention from a mono-economy to a multi-economy system in order to redirect the nation’s economy towards recovery.
Alake noted that if the government encourages local enterprises and skills acquisition, invests heavily in agriculture, and restructures governance by bringing it closer to the grassroots, the nation’s economy could be revitalised.
Alake made the remarks while declaring open the 2024 International Conference of the School of Business Studies (SBS), stating that the nation is endowed with all that pertains to life and livelihood, which is crucial for the good of our national economy and development.
“Government at various levels should engage the academic community in policy planning, formulation, and implementation because while the government has the political power to make this nation great, academia has the brain.”
The Dean of the School of Business Studies, Dr. J. A. Tijani, in his address on the theme: “Paths to Nigeria’s National Development and Greatness: Views and Perspectives”, said the theme is apt as it aims to proffer solutions that will help revamp our ailing economy and address security challenges through academic research and findings.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the LOC, Dr. Adebayo Oguntuase, stated that the conference was conceived to bring together specialists to diagnose and prognosticate the economic ills that hold our country hostage.
“We are unwavering in our firm belief that we have what it takes to confront the problems bedevilling us head-on.”
In a lead paper presentation, Prof. Taiwo Owoeye advocated that Nigeria should embrace value-added manufacturing, overhaul the education system, and adopt good government policies.
Prof. Owoeye urged the nation to diversify from low productivity to high productivity sector.
The don pointed out that for a country to develop, it must move in line with contemporary development trends.
Another lead presenter, Dr. Johnson Fakoya called on the government to move beyond theoretical aspects and focus more on implementation for the betterment of the nation.
“Students’ projects should be commercialised; we can diversify into this, look at the projects of our students and commercialise them.”
The conference also witnessed the presentation of merit awards to past Deans and HODs of the school and entrepreneurship awards.