The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi , has urged the federal and state governments to revive confidence in Nigerian universities by investing in them so they could support the government in confronting disease outbreaks .
Ogunyemi who was represented by the University of Lagos ASUU Chairman, Dr Dele Ashiru , during the presentation of 500 pieces of hands anitisers produced by the Lagos zone of the union to the Lagos State Government as part of the union’ s contributions to curb the spread of COVID – 19 .
The ASUU President who noted that vaccines and ventilators were products of intellect emphasised that no society could rise above its level of educational development.
He said , “As happenings around the world has shown, the fight against COVID – 19 should be intellectually and scientifically driven. The universities are citadels of learning, research and innovation , they should be at the forefront of the fight against COVID – 19.
“Assuming the government has acceded to our request and struggles over the years , it will be very convenient for them to rely on researches that will come out of the citadels of learning . A locally made ventilator is being finalised at UNILAG, there are other institutions that are making giant strides in producing materials that can help to fight against COVID – 19 .
“Moving forward , our advice to the federal and state governments is to revive confidence in our citadels of learning and invest heavily in them so that in disaster and emergency times like this we will have a reserve pool of intellect , resources , inventors and competent personnel that will support the government in confronting a pandemic of this nature. ”
Punch
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