The Nation Newspaper

Tag: UNILORIN VC

  • UNILORIN VC woos academics on poultry research

    Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali has urged academics to key into the expanding need for poultry products to research on how to improve output.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony of the fifth World Poultry Science Association (WPSA), Nigeria branch conference, held in Ilorin, Ambali said poultry production contributed 107 million tonnes to world meat production in 2013, which is set to improve in coming years.

    Quoting the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), the professor of veterinary medicine added that poultry meat products would expand by 2.3 per cent every year, attaining annual output of 134.5 tonnes worldwide by 2023.

    To this end, Ambali said Nigerian academics must act fast so the country can be self-sufficient in the provision of poultry products.

    He said: “In order to advance poultry production both now and later, experts like you will have to devote more academic attention to the dynamics of, and challenges posed by biosecurity and molecular biology, organic products, advancing early growth and profitability, gut microbiome and health as well as locally adapted highly productive breeds.

    “At UNILORIN, we shall continue to build capacity in these areas and others as evident in our recent establishment of the Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology. We strongly believe that Nigeria has no business importing basic agricultural products, poultry inclusive, if we were to get our bearing right and this is why we take research in these areas seriously.

    “Food is a critical component of a happy life and this is why the Yoruba say that when hunger is out of poverty, poverty becomes nil. We can then appreciate a situation where one does not just but eats highly nutritious food as those obtained poultry and poultry products.”

  • UNILORIN VC seeks review of mathematics curriculum

    The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has recommended a review in the patterns of instruction/teaching, methodology, curriculum and assessment to ensure academic excellence in mathematics.

    He spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the 51st yearly conference of the Mathematical Association of Nigeria (MAN), hosted by UNILORIN. The theme of the conference was: “Mathematics education for sustainable development.”

    Ambali decried the failure recorded by pupils in the May/June  West Africa Senior School Examination (WASSCE) examinations results where about 70 per cent of the candidates failed to obtain the required credit pass in five subjects, including Mathematics and English Language.

    He described mathematics as an indispensable subject, without which no nation could contemplate progress or development.

    In his address titled: ‘Real deal: Mathematics education for sustainable development, Ambali said: “Mathematics is important in shaping our everyday life and development,”stressing that the subject is equally critical to the survival of the world today and the future generations.

    “There is no other proof to show that the convocation of this conference is in the national interest and not the mathematical association alone. I want to commend the association for responding quickly, through this conference, to this downward trend in pupils’ performance in Mathematics specifically and other subjects at large.”

    He noted that mathematics education is facing serious challenges, which largely account for the poor performance of pupils in it every year.

    The professor of Veterinary Medicine added: “Mathematical skills are no doubt relevant to a wide range of analytical, technological, scientific, security, political and economic applications, and there is no doubt that a solid foundation in Mathematics prepares one for other education and professional challenges.”

    Ambali suggested that interactive and functional ways of teaching Mathematics should be developed so that pupils would naturally love and not dread it. He added that it would be a delight if the failure rate in mathematics in the public examinations reduces next year based on the strategies arrived at the conference.”

    The conference chairman and Director-General, National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Abuja, Prof. A. R. T. Solarin, said mathematics is the bedrock of life, which is a most basic requirement for pupils, urging teachers to remove pupils’ phobia for Mathematics.

    Represented by NMC Deputy Director, Prof. Peter Onumanyi, he assured the association of the centre’s continued support.

    Solarin announced scholarships and awards worth N18 million to promote the study of mathematics. He also announced the distribution of mathematics textbooks after the conference.

    Earlier, MAN President Prof. Uche Agwagah, said mathematical education would enhance citizens’ capacity to tackle national challenges. She urged members of the association to make useful contributions to the conference.

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Saka Onimago, said the conference would provide opportunity to refocus on data gathering for development. The governor charged teachers to make mathematics and statistics more appealing to students.