Fashola Seeks More Gown, Town Collaboration, Research
Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), former Minister, Works and Housing, has urged universities (gown) to feed industries and people (town) with research solutions, to pursue national growth and development.
Fashola, keynote speaker and former Governor of Lagos State, made this assertion at the fifth research and innovation fair of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo on Tuesday, in Lagos.
The theme of the research fair was “Harnessing Sustainable Research and Innovation in Nigerian Universities Towards National Growth and Development”.
He said that universities, which comprise scholars and intellectuals, should feed and hit the town with researches.
“These institutions across the world do not exist to glorify somebody’s feeling or name but rather are invented for national growth and development.
“The relationship is further cemented when the ideas from gown hit the town and transform the town.
“The commitment of LASU in research and innovation and the theme of this year have properly, in my view, now defined LASU consciousness about her role in natural development.
“LASU has understood that they are not just here to produce students but they are here as an engine of growth and prosperity for Nigeria,” Fashola said.
He said that research impacts the economy of other countries, citing USA, UK, Germany, France and Canada, and its contributions to their GDP.
Fashola said that things would be better if LASU research and innovation are fully fortified.
“Research has not yet found the place it deserves.
“I have now become an evangelist for research. LASU is taking all deliberate steps to optimise research, which is most commendable,” Fashola said.
He said that different categories of research had transformed human lives in different ways.
“We are now doing microscopic surgery and others which are products of research and innovation,” Fashola said.
