BY SHOLA OGUNTOYE
The nation can alleviate poverty, generate prosperity and achieve social harmony when institutions that strengthen a culture of innovation are put in place by the authorities.
The Chief Executive Officer of Centre for Value in Leadership and guest lecturer Professor Patrick Utomi made the remark while delivering the federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, 32nd Convocation Anniversary and 40th existence of the institution in Akure.
Professor Utomi who harped extensively on building virile institutions to address apparent challenges in the nation, hinted that Universities such as FUTA should be part of government to drive development in order for such institutions to meet the promise of their founding fathers.
He opined that the University needed to inculcate the Nehemiah character traits to rebuild the falling wall of Nigeria particularly with students being the transforming agents.
Earlier, FUTA Vice Chancellor, Professor Joseph Fuwape hinted that FUTA was no doubt living its innovative trademark noting that the institution had won several laurels in terms of innovation including 806,000,000 naira grant won by the institution researchers recently.
Many dignitaries who attended the event included Chief Sehinde Arogbofa, FUTA Pro Chancellor, Dr Godknows Igali among others.