By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi has said that the university has gone into partnership with Engr Joseph Makoju Foundation to address Leadership and development challenges of the country from intellectual angle.
Prof. Akinwumi who disclosed this in his address of welcome to the First Memorial Lecture In Honour of Engineer Joseph Oyeyani Makoju, attributed low pace of development in Nigeria to leadership gaps and inept management of the power sector.
“There is no doubt that power sector has contributed immensely to dearth of development in Nigeria” he said.
Buttressing Chinua Achebe’s standpoint that, the trouble with Nigeria is squarely the failure of leadership which has created several other problems, Prof. Akinwumi said addressing the problem from an intellectual angle would not be out of place.
“Addressing this problem from an intellectual angle through intrinsic and intensive memorial lecture in honour of Engr. Joseph Makoju is not out of place in the University’s efforts to fulfill her town and gown obligations.
“It is against this background that the University Senate carefully selected the topic ‘Challenges of ElectricPower Sector Reform in Nigeria: The Way Forward”, he said.
The Lecture wad delivered by an erudite scholar of international dimension and a Diplomat Extraordinaire, H.E. Amb.(Dr.) GodKnows Boladei Igali.
Prof. Akinwumi said there was no doubt that power sector had contributed immensely to dearth of development in Nigeria.
“Engr. Joseph Makoju’s passion for power reforms in Nigeria was second to none. No wonder, he dedicated his entire life to power generation and reformation in Nigeria” he said.
Prof. Akinwumi said that the lecture would henceforth, be held annually with where eminent scholars and industry players delivering lectures to contribute to solving Nigeria’s leadership, development and power problem.
Makoju, a First Class Mechanical Engineer from the University of Nottingham, an Officer of the Order of the Niger, an Officer of the Federal Republic; a former Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Cement Nigeria Plc.
He was also former Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, West African Portland Cement Company, former Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Defunct National Electric Power Authority/ Power Holding Company of Nigeria among many others.
The memorial lecture was graced by the Matriarch of the Makoju family, Dr (Mrs) Gladys Makoju, daughter, Dr Ovayoza Adeleye, a United States based medical practitioner, other family members, friends and from the academia and the general public with glowing tributes. (Ends)