SCIENTIST WANTS MORE FUNDS IN RESEARCH

Scientists have urged the Federal Government to deem it necessary to provide enough funds for research and development in Nigerian universities.

They said if more funds were; allocated to the researchers, it would pave the way for them; to carry out the scientific research successfully in the country.

They spoke to Peoples Daily Correspondent in separate interviews during the opening ceremony of the international conference organized by the faculty of science at the University of Abuja.

The conference which has its theme “Science: A Tool for Sustainable Development took place at the faculty lecture theatre in the university.

The president of African University of Science and Technology Abuja, Prof. Kingston Nyamapfene, who was one of the Guest speakers at the event, urged the university lecturers to ensure that the students they produced at the postgraduate level were carrying out meaningful research that can be applied to solve basic problems in Africa.

He therefore, commended the Nigerian Government for creating a conducive environment for science and technology to take its root in Nigeria, and charged other West African countries to privatise investment in science and technology.

Also speaking, the Dean Faculty of Science in the University of Abuja, Prof. Abu Mallam, said the international conference was being; organized for the sake of science as well as sustainable development.

He appealed to the government of the day to support the Nigerian Universities; by providing the necessary modern equipment for researchers to do their work well.

Abu Mallam, however, advised the core scientists as well as science teachers to continue to contribute their quota towards the national development in all ramifications.

On his part, the Local Organizing Chairman (LOC) of the conference, Prof. Franklin Ogunfiditimi in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Abuja; pleaded with the Government to channel the research; and development funds directly to the researchers without going through protocols.

This, according to the Professor, research and development funds should be for specific project; pointing out that research funds should not be; channeled to commissions as well institutes.

Ogunfiditimi advised the scientists to be innovative, expressing dismay that the scientists were; facing a lot of hiccups in terms of facilities.