BY AUGUSTINE AVWODE
As the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA, celebrates its 40th anniversary, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Fuwape, has said that the institution has justified the reason for its establishment which is to promote science and technology education in Nigeria and contribute to the country’s scientific and technological advancement.
The Vice-Chancellor made the assertion during the press conference heralding the commemoration of the 40 years of existence of the university in Akure.
Professor Fuwape said FUTA, established in 1981, has become the country’s most research intensive university and has contributed excellently to the education sector in Nigeria by sterling distinctions received by students, staff and alumni and that it has delivered on its core mandates creditably well in the last forty years to the admiration of the public.
He said evidence of this is FUTA’s consistent upward placement on the Nigerian web metric ranking table which was 7th position as at July 2021.
The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that over the years the university has contributed tremendously to national development through critical research breakthroughs and production of more than 35, 000 graduates who are trailblazers in different areas of human endeavours locally and internationally.
As a major supplier of critical manpower to other higher institutions in Nigeria, he pointed out that FUTA has provided Vice Chancellor, Rectors, Registrars, Librarians and Bursars to the tertiary education system in Nigeria.
Professor Fuwape said, “the story of the Federal University of Nigeria, Akure, thus far is indicative of a glorious future that should place it in high reckoning among its contemporaries. The university was conceived and programmed to be great from inception. It has through its teaching and learning, research, fabrication of equipment, application of research findings and techniques to public needs and the production of students with high-quality academic credentials contributed to the socioeconomic advancement of the nation.”
He added that “There is no doubt that FUTA remains one of the most peaceful universities in Nigeria with all its academic programmes fully accredited by the NUC. And with its high-calibre scholarship, professionalism and manpower development in science, technical and engineering education, FUTA is a pacesetter among its peers and has fully come into its own. It has been forty years of sterling contributions to technological advancement and human capital development of Nigeria“
The VC further added that “ with the dogged pursuit of alternative sources of income coupled with sustained allocation of financial resources by the proprietors, the large array of human resources in all its spheres of knowledge as well as the deft managerial competencies of the resources by managers led by the Vice-Chancellor, the Federal University of Technology, Akure is destined for a bright future in the actualization of its objectives of being a science and technological citadel for breakthroughs and a leader at the cutting edge of the technological transformation of the nation.”
He commended successive Governments in Ondo State and Nigeria, the host community of Akure, past principal officers and members of the governing council, FUTA Alumni worldwide and benefactors from within and outside the country for their immense contributions to the growth and development of the University.
He thereafter announced a general invitation to public to participate in the 40th anniversary activities as outlined in the programme, which include exhibitions of scientific products, interaction with Chief Executive of companies with a bias for science and technology, open day at the University’s Technology Incubation Centre, Students and Alumni Days and Lectures and related functions by Schools and Departments.
The anniversary events driven by a Task Team led by Professor Tomola Obamuyi, began on the 17th of September will run till the 27th of November 2021, the day of the grand finale.
