Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has charged Nigerian universities to devote more energy in research to help in finding solutions to the problems bedeviling the society.
To this end, the Commission has expressed its readiness to partner with universities in the region on problem-solving researches such as vaccines and other areas.
NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated this when he received a delegation from the Rivers State University, led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nlerum Okogbule, at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.
Ogbuku stated that as development partners in the Niger Delta region, Universities should conduct research that proffers solutions to the challenges facing the people of the Niger Delta region.
He acknowledged the contributions of universities in manpower development and the overall development of the Niger Delta region, stating that it was part of the efforts of the Commission to build the capacity of universities in the Niger Delta region.
“We want to partner with universities in academic research. Let us be part of the solutions the world is seeking. We want to partner with academic institutions to produce life-saving vaccines. We should be looking at finding lasting solutions for medical and social problems.
“As development partners in the Niger Delta region, we will support and fund research projects that adds value to our society and solves the challenges facing the people of the Niger Delta region. The NDDC seeks partnerships in research to address challenges facing society. Research will provide solutions for society.”
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Professor Nlerum Okogbule, commended the NDDC for building the capacity of universities in the Niger Delta region.
Okogbule thanked NDDC for supporting the Law Faculty of the university and appealed to the Commission to assist the university in building an advanced Law Centre for research in specialized area of laws.
In his own remarks, NDDC Executive Director Finance and Administration, Maj-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd), affirmed that the Commission was committed to doing things differently.
He assured the university delegation that their request would be included in the 2024 budget, while the Commission’s engineers would visit the university to assess the details of the proposed projects.
