13th September, 2012
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Is-haq O. Oloyede, has described Nigeria as a nation not lacking in natural resources, but a nation whose resources are being plundered.
“Nigeria is not poor as she is blessed with natural resources but the country has continuously been impoverished,” the Vice-Chancellor said recently while receiving members of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), who visited him in his office.
Prof. Oloyede, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Bayo Lawal, expressed concern that the country’s petroleum industry is not being manned by Nigerian technologists, saying that this should be a serious concern to the Society. He said it should also be a cause for worry that the ordinary Nigerian does not enjoy the benefits of oil production in the country.
Enjoining the NMGS to be strategic in its approach, the Vice-Chancellor stressed the need for the country to develop a sustainable home-grown technology.
Prof. Oloyede commended the Society and re-echoed its importance to the development of the country. He stated that the university has a vibrant Department of Geology and Mineral Sciences, adding that the university had commenced discussions with an American university to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on how to further strengthen the department.
Earlier, the Chairman of Council and President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society, Mr. Akinola George, thanked the university for the immense support given to the Kwara State chapter of the Society, saying he looked forward to the university hosting the conference of the Society in future.