The Faculty of Science of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Rivers State, has called on the private sector and old students of teh school to partner with the faculty in its quest to lift Nigeria to higher level in Science.

Dean of the Faculty, Professor Ethelbert Nduka made the call recently at a press briefing to mark the faculty’s 25th Anniversary in Port Harcourt.

He noted that the faculty has the manpower and requisite knowledge in science, and capable of lifting Nigeria to be among the leading research countries in the world.

While acknowledging the efforts of the Federal Government and the school authority in terms of provision of equipment, professor Nduka stated that the faculty still need partnership with the  private sector and public-spirited individuals in the state and country.

“We seek partnership with the sector to drive and market our research outputs. They should also partner with us to sponsor our researches, particularly in oil and gas, health and general environmental researches,” he said.

For old students, Nduka said they should be “part of the development strides of modern university system by not hesitating to assist in tackling the challenges facing the faculty.

The university Don, noted several areas of research in which the faculty has recorded excellent research breakthroughs.

Such areas, according to him, include optimal management of anthropod pests in field crops, human and animal health, bio fuel and bio resources and stored products.

Other areas are production of drugs in the management of genetic diseases such as sickle cell anaemia and generalised mathematical mode for determining water quality index for beneficial uses.

Meanwhile, Prof Nduka said, there are several ongoing researchers.

In their separate speeches, both Mrs Roseline Konya, a former Rivers State commissioner for Environment and Prof. Levi Amajo emphasised the need research in solving numerous problems.

Sogbeba Dokubo