The former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Professor Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba, has urged the Federal Government to patronise locally made products, News About Nigeria reports.
He made this appeal while speaking at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), noting that doing this will be of benefit to the economy.
He noted that the university is capable of producing various products and equipment that will be helpful to the country, including tractors for agriculture as well as laptops for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, if given the opportunity.
According to him, UNN was the first to establish a science park where innovations are being exhibited but has experienced poor patronage from the government and individuals to enable it to function effectively.
He further noted that the science park was built during his time as VC of the university without any subvention from the government, adding that UNN was the first to build the park and put it to use in Nigeria.
“We are the brain behind the waste product that you see today in Nigeria. We built waste into energy first before the geometric energy in Aba. The science park I told you about, they gave money to the university more than 15 years ago but couldn’t complete it and we have it now at the university. Nobody gave me money to build the science park and Innoson has established a tractor manufacturing plant there,” he stated.
He, therefore, urged professors to be focused on conducting research, noting that most overseas professors earn their living through research funding, not salary.
