Don identifies technology, innovation as tool for development

An official of the Directorate of Grants Management, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof Kolawole Adebayo has identified technology and innovation as key ingredients for national development.

He noted that it is more important to teach students how to translate entrepreneurship into income thereby contributing to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.

Adebayo spoke at the 2017 annual Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) lecture/exhibition series titled, “Technology innovation and entrepreneurship empowerment.”

According to him, entrepreneurship is the conversion of existing knowledge, skills and processes to profit, adding that students should get involved in entrepreneurial studies as early as possible to optimally enjoy its benefits.

He said: “As a nation, development of technology and innovation has been realised a long time ago, even by the time Yabatech was established in 1947. What we are not getting right is the entrepreneurship and empowerment angle, which in the last half a decade is mandatorily a part of Nigerian education system. The lecture is bringing that home in a town and gown arrangement where people from the public, students and staff of the institution come together and get to hear from some of us who have been full players in entrepreneurship, to say it is not enough to teach our students how to do things but we need to teach them how this translates into income to make them happy and also to contribute to the society.

“If they earn income they will be able to pay taxes. If they pay taxes government will be able to provide some of the necessary public utilities. So, it is in our collective interest that we develop technology education and promote entrepreneurship and empowerment.”

The rector of the institution, Dr. Margaret Ladipo who was represented by her deputy Dr. Omobayo Raheem reminded that the real sector is the engine that drives the economy of any nation.

“Technology innovation and entrepreneurship empowerment plays a key role in the development of any nation. In the face of rapid technological changes and entrepreneurship empowerment in the 21st Century, tertiary institutions must keep abreast of contemporary global trends and be able to adapt cutting edge technologies, innovation and research for the growth and development of their environment.”

On his part, Permanent Secretary, office of the Special Adviser on Education, Lagos State, Shamsideen Allison said the lecture came at a time the nation is faced with myriads of problems.

“Some of these problems include dependence on oil to sustain the economy which have adversely affected national development resulting in youth unemployment and increase in social vices like kidnapping, armed robbery, cybercrime and cultism.

“If these problems and many others are to be tackled, and if the developmental challenges facing the country are to be confronted headlong, the importance of technological innovation and entrepreneurship empowerment especially of the youths cannot be over stressed.”