The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FUTA

  • Nigeria needs iron, steel, says FUTA don

    A professor of Metallurgical Engineering says robust government and private sector investment in the processing, smelting and refining industries would enhance Technological Entrepreneurship (TE), boost local capacity to manufacture spare parts and ultimately resuscitate the country’s moribund automobile industry.

    Prof Benjamin Adewuyi said this while delivering the 94th inaugural lecture of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) titled: “Metals and Materials: Creating Technological Entrepreneurial Potential.”

    Adewuyi said no country could achieve meaningful development without local capacity to produce iron and steel through TE in the metal sector.

    He said for Nigeria to join the league of countries with vibrant manufacturing sector, it should prioritise the iron and steel industry and create incentives that would lead to the development of basic spare parts industries to provide substitutes for imported varieties.

    This, he said, would enhance local technologies and give the needed fillip to the manufacturing sector and aid the resuscitation of the automobile industry.

    Adewuyi, the immediate past president of the Nigerian Metallurgical Society, said the ministry of science and technology in conjunction with the ministry of mines and steel development should come up with a strategic plan for TE by introducing cluster cottage industries and Technology Parks for the metal and materials sector.

    The Don said the advantages accruable to Nigeria from the development of TE in the metal and material sectors were enormous and included job opportunities, acquisition of technical skills, acceleration of industrial development, exploitation and development of raw materials and local technologies.

    Adewuyi said Nigeria was blessed with mineral and natural resources that can be harnessed for both economic and strategic reasons.

    He added that government should, as matter of urgency, fund and encourage problem-solving research and technology that are adaptable to the local environment to provide opportunities for indigenous scientific and technical innovations.

    Addressing the academia, Adewuyi said tertiary institutions should engage in science and technological research with the aim of solving local problems of housing, food, transportation, energy, health, portable water, pest control and security.

    In his remarks at the well-attended lecture, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Joseph Fuwape praised Adewuyi’s dexterity in the delivery of the lecture.

  • FUTA wins UK grant

    The Department of Meteorology and Climate Science (MCS) and the WASCAL Graduate Research Studies program in the West African Climate System (GSP-WACS) of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA has won a research grant from the United Kingdom (UK) Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) African Science for Weather Information and Forecasting Techniques (SWIFT).

    Over the four -year programme, experts from FUTA who won the grant, Prof Kenny Ogunjobi (Director, WASCAL), Dr Elijah Adefisan ,Prof Emmanuel Okogbue (Head of Department of Meteorology and Climate Science Department) Prof  Jerome Omotosho and Dr Vincent Ajayi, will join a the team of 25 UK and 45 African atmospheric scientists, social scientists and operational forecasters who will undertake fundamental scientific research into the physics of tropical weather systems, evaluation and presentation of complex model and satellite data, and communications and exploitation of forecasts.

    By significantly improving the research capacity in Nigeria in particular, the project will benefit diverse sectors such as aviation, agriculture, energy, water resources and emergency response.  The project will also ensure that results can be translated beyond the partner countries and into the wider developing world.

    The African SWIFT consortium will be led by the UK National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) and builds upon existing partnerships between forecasting centres and universities in four African partner countries – bringing together 5 UK partners (NCAS, University of Leeds, University of Reading, CEH and UK Met Office) and 10 African partners (Senegal – ANACIM and UCAD; Ghana – GMet and KNUST; Nigeria – FUTA and Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet; Kenya – KMet, ICPAC and University of Nairobi; and ACMAD) and the World Meteorological Organization, as an advisory partner.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Fuwape has congratulated the team that won the grant on behalf of the University saying it further underscores FUTA’s pace setting efforts in technological advancement of Nigeria and its ability to hold its own in the comity of global Universities.

  • Minister urges FUTA to research into flooding, others

    The Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibril, has urged the Federal University of Technology at Akure (FUTA) to lead the search for solutions to debilitating flooding and other effects of climatic change ravaging parts of the country.

    The minister spoke on Monday during his visit to West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) domiciled at the university.

    He noted that with the equipment and quality of manpower at the centre, FUTA has what it takes to solve the nation’s environmental challenges.

    The director of the centre, Prof Kehinde Ogunjobi, briefed the minister and his entourage, including the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Shehu Ahmed, the Executive Director of Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Dr. Adepoju Adeshola, on its operations.

    Ogunjobi said the centre, with support from the German Government, trains competent weather and climate scientists who can proffer viable solutions to weather and climate-related problems in agriculture, water resources and allied sectors for enhanced and sustainable agricultural production, food security and sustainable environment in West Africa.

    He said WASCAL develops climate hazard and vulnerability maps for climate change adaptation and water resources management system for the sub-region.

    According to him, the centre is ready to collaborate with the ministry to tackle the nation’s environmental challenges.

    Ogunjobi noted that to achieve its mandate and proffer solutions to increasing weather and climate change challenges, the Centre has succeeded in training students from across the West Africa sub region.

     

     

     

     

  • Sack of FUNAAB, FUTA VCs faulted

    The Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) yesterday faulted the Federal Government on the suspension of the vice chancellors of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) and Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof. Olusola Oyewole and Prof. Adebiyi Daramola.

    Their suspension was conveyed in a May 8 letter signed by the acting Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Hussaini Adamu, over allegations of corruption.

    AVCNU, in a statement yesterday in Abuja by its Secretary-General, Prof. Michael Faborode, said it was surprised that Minister of Education Adamu Adamu would go ahead to suspend both VCs when the governing councils of universities had been inaugurated by him.

    It hailed the governing councils of both universities for upholding the sacred tenets of the university system.

    The statement said: “It was, therefore, surprising to AVCNU that the honourable minister would proceed to suspend some VCs just when new councils were being inaugurated for the universities.

    “The resolution of lingering issues should just have been left in the hands of the new councils, who would have been admonished to, as a matter of urgency, assume their mandate, like the new French President, and bring their institutions to pursue that which will edify and endear them to the nation.

    “It is against this background that the actions of the councils of FUNAAB and FUTA in upholding the sacred tenets of the university system, nay its autonomy, is commendable and is thus applauded by the AVCNU.

    “What the councils of FUNAAB and FUTA have done is to, without any iota of hesitation, halt the descent of the institutions to unbelievable anarchy, signal a new order of proactive engagement, built on deep understanding of what a university should be and hence laid the basis for sustainable peace in contrast to the theatre of the absurd and confusion that had engulfed the institutions in the recent past, that seemed to last eternity.

    “By their prompt and decisive intervention, they have restored the glory of the Nigerian university system in the comity of global universities. AVCNU salutes their courage in the face of heinous intimidation and primitive blackmail, clothed in the garb of critical radicalism.

    “They have proved that they are equal to the task with which they are saddled. If we and our universities must emerge from our current level of obscurity in the global peer ranking of universities, then we and our proprietors (federal and state governments, private individuals and faith based organisations who own the universities) must ponder on the imperatives of attaining the lofty attributes of world-class universities.

    “It is the contention of AVCNU that the time has come for us to get Nigerian universities back on track, and we plead with the university unions not to unwittingly destroy the fabric of our universities, which indeed is their means of livelihood. “

  • FUTA inaugurates VC

    A vice chancellor has been appointed for the Federal University of Technology Akure FUTA). He is Prof. Joseph Adeola Fuwape.

    Fuwape succeeds Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, who was accused of financial impropriety by unions.

    Daramola is being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He handed over to Fuwape at a ceremony attended by academics, monarchs, politicians and students.

    Fuwape, a Professor of Wood Engineering, who attended the University of Ibadan (UI) for his first and second degrees in Forestry, was decorated as the seventh vice chancellor by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Senator Joseph Waku.

    Waku urged students and workers to direct their grievances to the VC, rather than take the law into their hands.

    Fuwape said stakeholders would be carried along in the discharge of his duties.

    The Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo, led other traditional rulers to the event, which was also witnessed by the Bishop of Akure Diocese (Anglican Communion), Rev. Simeon Borokinni, among other dignitaries.

  • FUTA workers hail minister for suspending VC, registrar

    FUTA workers hail minister for suspending VC, registrar

    The workers of Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) yesterday hailed the suspension of the Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu.

    The VC and the Registrar, Mrs. Modupe Ajayi, were suspended.

    The Chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the university and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), ýDele Durojaiye, confirmed the suspension.

    He, however, said details had not been received.

    Daramola and the Bursar, Emmanuel Oresegun, had been taken to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged mismanagement of the institution’s funds.

    They ýwere granted bail by the Akure High Court.

    The reason why the registrar was suspended and not the bursar ýwith the VC remained unclear yesterday.

    The registrar is the secretary of the university council and her five-year tenure will end on May 31.

    Spokesman for the university Adebanjo Adegbenro said he had no ýinformation that the two principal officers were suspended by the minister.

    Non-teaching staff unions of the university called off their seven- month strike on Tuesday.

    They went on strike to protest the refusal of the Federal Government to sack Prof. Daramola despite his case with the EFCC.

    The workers vowed not to call off the strike until he stepped aside to clear himself of the allegations.

    The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUUý), FUTA chapter, insisted that the tenure of the vice chancellor had lapsedý.

    Durojaiye, acting on a verdict of the Industrial Court, recalled the workers to duty.

    He said the court had given an order that the striking workers should resume work within 24 hours.

    Durojaiye said the court ordered the university management to pay outstanding salaries within 24 hours, adding that those sacked should be reinstated.

    On the tenure of the vice chancellor, ASUU leadership said it ended on May 9.

  • FUTA in joyful mood as Minister suspends VC, Registrar

    FUTA in joyful mood as Minister suspends VC, Registrar

    There was spontaneous reaction yesterday over the suspension of the embattled Vice Chancellor (VC), Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Prof. Adebiyi Daramola by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu.

    It was a moment of joy as FUTA campus was thrown into ecstasy with workers exchanging pleasantries on the development.

    Prof Daramola was suspended alongside the Registrar, Mrs Modupe Ajayi.

    The chairman of the Joint Action Committee JAC of the University and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities SSANU ‎Dele Durojaiye confirmed the suspension of the duo by the minister.

    Durojaiye, however, said details of their suspension had not been communicated to them.

    The VC and the Bursar, Emmanuel Oresegun have been dragged to court by the EFCC over alleged mismanagement of the institution funds.

    They ‎were granted bail by the Akure High Court.The reason why the Registrar was suspended and not the bursar ‎with the VC remained unclear yesterday.

    The Registrar is the Secretary of the University council and her five-year tenure was to lapse on May 31 before the ministers axe on Thursday.

    Spokesman of the University Adebanjo Adegbenro said he has no ‎information to the effect that the two principal officers of the university have been suspended by the Minister for Education.

    The Non- Teaching Staff Unions of the University called off their seven-month old industrial action on Tuesday.

    The unions went on strike to protest the refusal of the federal government to sack of the  Prof  Daramola despite his case with EFCC.

    ‎They have since vowed not to resume work until he steps aside to clear himself of the allegations of mismanagement of the institution funds by the EFCC.

    Besides, the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU‎) ‎of the university insisted that the tenure of the embattled Vice Chancellor had lapsed‎.

    However, the chairman of the Joint Action congress (JAC) of the institution, Dele Durojaiye acting on a verdict of the Industrial Court recalled the workers back to work.

    According to Durojaye, the court had given an order that the striking workers should resume work within 24 hours.

    He said the court equally‎ ordered the university Management to pay all outstanding salaries within 24 hours and that those whose appointments were terminated be reinstated forthwith.

    Durojaiye in a directive to the union members urged members to resume work while they await the university to pay our salaries

    On the tenure of the Vice Chancellor, the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU‎) of the institution insisted that his tenure had since lapsed on May 9th and not may 23 this year as announced by the university Management.

    In a letter forwarded to the VC, the union leader ‎said that his five-year single tenure ought to have lapsed on May 9.

    They said‎“ Prof. Daramola “assumed office on the 10th May 2012; and as such his tenure should end on 9th May 2017.

    The institution Registrar, Mrs Modupe Ajayi said the tenure of Prof Daramola ends on May 23, this year.

    According to her, “While the Vice-Chancellor appreciates the concern of ASUU-FUTA leadership on this matter and has responded to provide the required information, it is considered expedient to bring this to the public domain and in particular to the members of the university community that the information making the rounds in some quarters within the campus that the Vice Chancellor, Prof Daramola, assumed office on the 10th May 2012; and as such his tenure should end on 9th May 2017 is absolutely incorrect.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, this is to inform all members of staff, students and the entire members of the University Community that the Vice Chancellor, Prof Daramola assumed office on the 24th May 2012, the same day his inauguration took place.This implies that his five-year tenure will come to an end on 23rd May 2017“.

    The University Management appealed to all staff, students and the entire members of the University Community to discountenance and ignore any action being orchestrated to cause a breach of peace and stability on the campus.

  • FUTA names registrar-designate

    Richard Adeyinka Arifalo, Deputy Registrar and Acting Director, Directorate of Establishment and Human Resource, has been appointed Registrar -Designate of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) by the Governing Council.

    Arifalo, whose appointment takes effect from June 1, 2017 for a five-year tenure, joined the university in March 1992 as an Administrative Officer I.

    He rose through the ranks in the major administrative sections of the university to become a Deputy Registrar in June 2010 and Acting Director of Establishment and Human Resource in January 2013.

    Born on October 6, 1960, Arifalo, has a first degree in English Studies from University of Ife (Obafemi Awolowo University) and a master’s degree in Global Management from the University of Salford, Manchester, England.

    A well-travelled and digital savvy administrator, Arifalo brings into his new position a rich experience in university and human resource management.

    Arifalo is married with children.

    The Registrar Designate will succeed Dr Modupe Olayinka Ajayi whose tenure ends  on May 31.

     

  • FUTA Scholar wins Carnegie Grant, sets up Laboratory

    A Senior Lecturer in the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, (FUTA), Dr (Mrs) Oluwatoyin Olaseinde has won a 25,000 dollars grant of the Carnegie Corporation of New York through the African Materials Science and Engineering Network (AMSEN) under the auspices of Regional Initiatives in Science and Education (RISE).

    Olaseinde, a Corrosion Engineer and RISE scholar responded to a call for proposals to establish Research Groups among the five networks under RISE, comprising FUTA; University of Nairobi, Kenya; University of Namibia, Windhoek; University of Botswana, Gaborone; and University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

    Her proposal scaled through and won the only one for AMSEN, covering Nigeria and the other countries. The grant is for the establishment and expansion of research group in FUTA with the aim of training the trainers.

    In accordance with the aim, Olaseinde has set up a laboratory named Advanced Materials and Electrochemical Research Group (AMERG) laboratory in her department.

    During a recent working visit to the AMSEN group, the Executive Director, Science Initiative Group (SIG), Arlen Hastings in company of Programme Associate, Sarah Rich, commended Olaseinde’s delivery on the project.

    Hastings said: “Olaseinde, you made me proud. I am really impressed with this setting and your judicious utilization of the grant. I am also happy seeing the third generation of students under a RISE trainee at FUTA. This is an indication that Africans can do it and I believe the number of students you train would also replicate themselves in the nearest future by training others. This is a huge intellectual investment that I believe will never die.”

    Responding, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Adebiyi Daramola said: “The RISE programme has been of consistent help in developing next level academics in Africa. One of the grants that have remained consistent to us is from RISE. This has helped to develop our faculties through staff development and attendance at international conferences. This has really exposed our upcoming academics globally.”

    Dr Olaseinde said she is impressed by the opportunity afforded her by RISE through AMSEN to set up the laboratory which has further enhanced her academic horizon through training students in Corrosion Engineering and Physical Metallurgy.

    She emphasized the importance of collaboration in research, adding that she learnt and achieved a lot through collaborative efforts while doing her Doctoral degree (PhD) at Witwatersrand, South Africa.

    She commended her PhD supervisor at Witwatersrand, Prof Lesley Cornish for investing and believing in her.

    She also appreciated the efforts of her mentor, Prof Benjamin Adewuyi, the Coordinator of AMSEN-FUTA, Prof Joseph Borode and other colleagues for their collaborative efforts which keep yielding result.

  • Council seeks new VC for FUTA

    The Pro-sChancellor and Chairman of Council, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Dr Mohammed Shatta, has inaugurated a Joint Council and Selection Board and Search Team for the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor (VC) for the institution.

    Before the constitution of the search team, the process for the selection of the seventh substantive VC, who will succeed Prof Adebiyi Daramola, was kicked off on November 24, last year with the placement of advertisement in three national dailies.

    This was followed by the election of the representatives of the various bodies that are involved in the process who made up the board/team.

    Shatta urged members of the board to eschew all sentiments and interests and to embrace corporate interests. He said the process must be objective and transparent to get the best for the system.

    “As we know the appointment of the Vice Chancellor is highly sensitive, members of the board should ensure confidentiality of the proceedings of meetings and be fair, objective and equitable in handling the assignment,” he said.

    The search team is required among other things to search for candidates who have scholarly distinguished themselves locally and internationally and are considered fit for appointment to the position of Vice chancellor of the university.  In doing so, it must not discriminate against sex, race, ethnic, political, and religious or other sectional interest group.

    The Pro-Chancellor was optimistic that the board/search team would do a thorough job, promising that the university would provide necessary impetus to ensure that they perform up to expectation.

    Shatta heads the Joint Council and Senate Committee, while another external member of the Governing Council, Chief Joel Madaki heads the Search Committee.