Group News Editor of The Tide Newspaper, Mr. Nelson Chukwudi (left), displaying a copy of the paper while explaining a point to pupils of Noble Giant International School, Igwuruta, during an excursion visit to The Tide office in Port Harcourt, last Thursday. Photo: Iboioye Diama

A university lecturer,
Professor Peter A. Okebukola, has charged the Rivers State University of Science and Technology to stand up and be counted in terms of its role in developing science and technology in Nigeria and the world at large.
Professor Okebukola gave the charge in a recent pre-27th convocation lecture of the university in Port Harcourt.
According to him, in the face of challenges to science, technology and innovation in Nigeria, RSUST, as a university established 35 years ago, stands a good chance to squeeze more mileage from  science and technology in our post – 2015 development drive.’
How this can be achieved, he said, will greately involve the faculties of agriculture, engineering, science, through mathematics/computer science programes working with computer engineering department.
“The faculty of agriculture should work with the faculty of engineering to take leadership in new techniques in fish farming and in precision agriculture technologies for spatial and temporal management of irrigation, application of nutrients and other inputs for better crop yield.
“Within the next few years, it should provide a prototype of farm machinery that is guided by global positioning system satellites. It should also set up a model scheme for the nation to engage Agricultural Information System (AIS) and wireless technology to enhance effective mapping of crops, livestock and fish production,” he said.
Okebukola, who is currently the chairman of council at Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, explained that the two faculties alongside the faculty of environmental sciences could ensure sustainable agricultural  production.
He said they should be a leader in the intensive use of satellite imagery to predict weather and or climate changes that effect agricultural production, promote greater use of highly productive and disease resistant crops, livestock, poultry and fish streams, breeds and species; and promote the use of green technology to ensure sustainable agricultural production, safe and clean environment.
The faculty of science, he continued, should through its mathematical /computer science programs, working with computer engineering department of the faculty of engineering “initiate the development of applications for use on mobile devices for delivering quality education, healthcare and for promoting better ethical values among citizenry”.
While noting that the faculty of engineering should be the arrow head of new technologies for the agriculture, education, health, defence, housing, works and power sectors of the economy, he explained that new technologies mean “contemporary next-generation technologies that suit the African context.”
He also said the faculty of technical and science education “should address issues relating to poverty alleviation and work with relevant faculties, especially management sciences in developing prototypes of new businesses for the teeming proportion of unemployed youths.”

Stories by Sogbeba Dokubo