By Bukola Olamona
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A director with Nigeria Independent Schlumberger and an alumnus of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA , Nosa Omorodion, has stated that institutions of higher learning   should become  hubs for innovations in order to realize the country’s quest for  economic diversification and multi sectoral development.

 This was the focal point of his address at a lecture  organized by the FUTA alumni association worldwide as part of its 2018  convention  held  in Akure, Ondo State.

In the lecture titled: ”Navigating the Global Energy Transition; What it Means for Nigeria”, Omorodion reiterated that Artificial Intelligence Technologies are currently the main tools for technological advancement.

He noted that universities around the world are responding to these changes and making giant strides. Omorodion noted that the time has come for FUTA and other universities in the country to latch on  this area and prove their worth as  true knowledge – based institutions.

He said Nigerian universities should take advantage of  emerging opportunities in the area of artificial intelligence   with partnerships across borders and deploying high- tech courses across digital platforms. He said with FUTA’s track record of excellence it should lead and  prove its worth and shine in the comity of higher institutions with innovations and technological breakthroughs that will solve the country’s energy and other challenges.

He advised that higher institutions of learning  in the country  should take advantage of  current global development in energy and related fields.

 He said  that Energy Transition is real, and that population growth  will remain constant as such proffering solutions to emerging issues in the energy sector will make Universities more relevant to society.

 He said ”Hydrocarbon’ ‘ will continue to be a major source of  natural fuel and energy  despite the intense focus on renewable energy.

He challenged the authority and students of the institution to do more and to explore the available opportunities in Ondo State as a state with longest coastline of 90km demonstrating a huge potential for beach resort and mineral deposit that are available for exploration and exploitation in crude oil, Natural gas, bitumen, limestone, kaolin amongst others.

He challenged the institution to  research into these areas and take its findings and technology breakthroughs to  investors, which he said will in turn change the University’s fortune .He expressed optimism that  FUTA will continue to play a more prominent role in accelerating the development of Ondo State and solving Nigeria’s energy and economic challenges.