NDDC Urges Universities to Emphasise Research


The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has charged Nigerian universities to devote more energy in research to help in finding solutions to some of the problems bedeviling the society. This was the advice of the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, 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 said: “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.”

The NDDC Chief Executive Officer 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.

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 remarked: "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."

 

The NDDC boss pledged that the Commission would look into the challenges facing the university and assist in addressing the challenges. He noted: "We will look at your requests and see how we can incorporate them in our 2024 budget." 

 

Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Professor Okogbule, commended the NDDC for building the capacity of universities in the Niger Delta region.  

 

He noted that the Commission has left an indelible mark on the Rivers State University and called for closer ties with the NDDC.

 

He thanked the NDDC for the university and supporting the Law Faculty. He 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, the 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.

Ibitoye Abosede, Ph.D.

Director, Corporate Affairs

March 22, 2023

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