A University Don. Prof. Christian Ikeobi has called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency increase the funding of tertiary institutions to enhance research for the overall development of the country.
Ikeobi who is a professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics in the College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM) of the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB) made this call while featuring on FUNAAB Radio 89.5 FM live interactive programme, Boiling Point.
According to him, funding for research needs to be step up in Nigeria and different parts of the world, adding that funding was one of the key points to drive development.
Prof. Ikeobi, who is the University Orator as well as University Chaplain, said funding of research has to be enhanced to ensure Nigeria is not lagging behind and to make students compete with their counterparts from all over the world.
The former Dean of COLANIM informed that research can be used to drive a university, attract postgraduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and bring scientists together.
He noted that research can also be deployed for collaboration purposes across universities and establishments.
He decried the rate at which students are no longer interested in following up on their lecturers these days as he urged universities to always involve students in their research activities.
Prof. Ikeobi reiterated the need to promote research to the point where students would find it attractive adding that good research should be able to drive development in terms of catalysing food production.
In another development, the University Don called for the conservation of indigenous animal genetic resources in Nigeria.
He made the call during the 62nd inaugural lecture of the institution on Wednesday.
Prof. Ikeobi recommended that the Conservation of Indigenous Animal Genetic Resources be established and be separated from NACGRAB to avoid conflict on crop conservation.
According to him, the genetic basis of the rare conditions in the Nigeria local chicken and the need to conserve them for the benefit of future generations.
He also said there is need for the establishment of Multiplication Centres for the Indigenous Animal Genetic resources with emphasis on genetic purity and breed distinctiveness.
Ikeobi pointed out that there is need for a full comprehensive and up to date livestock census in Nigeria, stressing that they cannot continue to rely on outdated data on animal populations in Nigeria.
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