The Director General, National Space Research and Development Agency, NARSDA, Dr Halilu Shaba Ahmed, has commended the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA for its robust contributions and activities to curtail climate change effects, saying that the Agency will continue to work together with FUTA to groom more professionals in the area of climate change manpower development.
He spoke on Thursday, October 13, 2023 during a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji , on the sideline of the 2023 Ulefunta Festival under the aegis of the Deji of Akure ,Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi , where he served as the Guest Lecturer. He commended the University Management for establishing a Remote Sensing Department, noting that this was a step in the right direction to monitor, manage and control issues on climate change. He said, “this shows a high sense of belonging and partnering with NARSDA to tackle climate change challenges”. The DG described the Ulefunta Lecture as an international event because of its relevance to the global issue of climate change. He noted that NARSDA was proud to be put on the spot because many of its activities in the area of climate change in time past had been done quietly. He reiterated that with the prevailing climatic issues around the world, Nigeria was safe to say that nature had been kind to it. He however said that the country and its policy makers should not be too relaxed but be up-to-date on evolving issues of climate change to forestall any eventuality. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, while responding to the issues raised on globalization and climate change said that the University is passionate about proffering solution to rising climate issues like flooding and food security, among others. She said FUTA would continue to leverage on its excellent faculty in its collaboration with relevant stakeholders to proffer solution in the mitigation of the adverse effects of climate change and global warming. She thanked the visiting team led by the DG for considering the call an important one and for being in Akure personally to deliver the lecture. She explained that without research, Universities will not be Universities, and that science without humanity is useless. She said “we must keep interacting with the community, Research Institutes and the Locals to deploy research initiatives to areas where they are required to make the desired impact”. She disclosed that FUTA is taking the front seat in tackling climate change by enacting policies on its campus to resolve affected issues, such as the implementation of a paperless system and stoppage of refuse burning. Presenting the lecture theme, Professor Helen Ogunsuyi, the Chair of Ulefunta Lecture Series, described the annual event as a festival in Akure Community which puts the spotlight on prevailing issues affecting mankind.
She explained that the lecture which was premised on Climate Change and Food Security; and Adaptability Particularly in the Rural Communities was targeted at farmers this year with a view to mitigating climate issues affecting crop production and food security.
