By Patience Aliyu

The University of Jos has organised its maiden annual research day to honour outstanding researchers within the institution.

Speaking at the event in Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, the Vice Chancellor of the university, said that the event was organised by the Research and Development (R&D) Office of the institution.

The vice chancellor was represented at the event by Prof. Aboi Madaki, the Provost, Collage of Heath Sciences of the institution.

Ishaya, who noted that quality research is at the core of the institution, promised to support and fund result-driven research in various fields.

He said that the institution would also use the event to honour some of its members of staff for promoting quality research.

Similarly, Mr Samuel Godongs, the Director General, Research, Planning and Documentation, Plateau Government House, urged government to adequately fund research in the country.

“Advanced countries spend between six to eight per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on research and development.

“But those in the lower pockets of developing countries spend less than one to two per cent which is recommended.

“But in Nigeria, we spend 0.2 per cent which is far below even countries like South Africa, which has increased its research and development steadily.

“So, we do have a long way to go, and as we are doing that, we have to look at the different kinds of research that we have.

“A lot of the research that we do is within the bracket of basic research; that is research for just fundamental or basic knowledge that very often end up in books that gather dust on the shelves,” he lamented.

Also speaking, Dr Salihu Bakari, the Director of Research and Centre of Excellence, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), said that research innovation is a key instrument for human transformation.

He, however, insisted that research in the university, which requires huge financial support, should be geared towards solving societal problem.

“The fundamental role of research and innovation as an instrument of human transformation and structural development requires huge financial and intellectual investment to realise the objectives.

“However, research in our universities should be innovative and geared towards problem-solving; there must be deliberate efforts to ensure synergy between academia, industry and government to achieve the fundamental goals of research and innovation.

“No nation can rise above the quality of its education, and by extension, its capacity for research and innovation.

“Innovative research capacity is directly related to human capital development, global competitiveness and national development.

“Hence, funding research and innovation should inevitably be a priority of any nation that desires to achieve its developmental aspirations,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that among those honoured during the event were Prof. Hwayward Mufuwai, the former vice chancellor of the university, Prof. Patricia Lar, the Acting vice chancellor, Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja.

Other awardees included Prof. Chris Piwuna, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Dung Sha, the former Director of Research, National Institute for Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Editted by Abdulfatai Beki/Polycarp Auta