Former UNILAG VC calls on govt to invest in defence technology

Governments at all levels should invest in state-of-the-art technology, according to Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, a former vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos. This will increase the nation’s ability to manage security concerns and protect its population.

Ogundipe made this remark on Friday, at the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH),Ikorodu.

He spoke during the the inaugural founder’sday lecture of the institution, with the theme “Nation Building Through Innovation, Science and Technology”.

According to the former vice chancellor, countries made these investments to strengthen their security and defence systems.

“Defence technology innovation improves a country’s capacity to handle security issues and safeguard its population.

“Innovation and technology can be very important in improving a country’s internal security.

“It helps to create strategies, technologies, and policies that are effective in addressing changing security issues.

“Countries that invest in science, innovation, and technology are often ahead of those that do not invest or rather invest poorly.

“When we talk about nation-building, we take into account several factors, all of which are now influenced by science, innovation, and technology,”Ogundipe said.

He added that important facets of how innovation and research contribute to Nigeria’s internal security include analysis and intelligence gathering, technology adoption and surveillance, cybersecurity measures.

Others, according to him, are border security and cross-border cooperation, conflict resolution and peace building, training and skill development, and public awareness and education.

“No other country can help us, we need to help ourselves to invest in our security.

“A country’s ability to innovate and use technological advancements is closely linked to its economic development,” Ogundipe said.

He noted that innovation, science, and technology play a critical role in the development of infrastructure, influencing how societies organise, construct, and oversee vital organisational and physical structures.

“These components play a major role in the progress, effectiveness, and sustainability of infrastructure projects in a variety of industries.

“Innovation is a key factor in economic growth, frequently resulting from advances in science and technology.

“New industries are encouraged to emerge through investments in technology and innovation.

“In addition to producing highly skilled jobs, the expansion of industries like biotechnology, clean energy, and information technology also supports ancillary businesses, which boosts overall employment and economic diversification,”Ogundipe said.

He said that beyond the sphere of the economy, science and technology had the capacity to significantly impact social progress and inclusivity.

“Nations can harness the transformative power of innovation to build resilient and prosperous societies by adopting a future-oriented mindset, allocating resources to education and research, and responsibly navigating the challenges.

“Let’s set out on a journey together where innovation serves as the cornerstone for building a nation and moves us closer to a more promising and inclusive future,”Ogundipe said.

The purpose of the Founder’s Day speech, according to Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya, vice president of LASUSTECH, was to share with the larger society the institution’s achievements and impact in fulfilling our mandate.

According to Odusanya, their goal is still to develop into a highly competitive, in-demand, internationally recognised university of the highest calibre.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), 67 students who had a CGPA of 4.50 were awarded 50% tuition price scholarships.

The best male and female students from Epe also received a million naira from the vice chancellor of LASUSTECH.

Prof. Adebisi Balogun, former Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure, also gave the sum of N75,000 to the best students each in the five faculties of the institution.