A PASSION FOR TECHNOLOGY AND CAPACITY BUILDING

Nile University is contributing to technological education in Nigeria, writes Ofem Uket

Nigeria is among the countries aiming to achieve high level technology, looking at government policy trust and regulatory framework in the science and technology sub-sector of the nation’s economy. Successive governments in Nigeria have boldly developed blue prints that can encourage growth in technology that will drive manufacturing and heavy industrialisation.

At some point, many government industrial ventures became moribund, caused by government officials and representatives with no cognate experience and professional control over the production and marketing of goods and indeed to manipulate major factors of production.

Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, a science and technology-driven institution, is aimed at training and producing quality graduates in the sector and to bridge the gap between other social sciences-based universities. Last week its 5th convocation ceremony held at the International Conference Centre (ICC) Abuja, drew the cream of the academia, business and industry and political gladiators. The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, former Chief of Defence Staff Alex Badeh, presidential envoy to National Assembly Senator Ita Enang; former INEC Chairman Professor Atahiru Jega; former governors and ministers including the current Minister of State for Health Dr. Osagie Iheriena were all present, among others.

Mr. Mehmet Basturk, Chairman First Surat Group and Chairman Governing Council of the Nile University, said rightly that the focus on science and technology education is driven by the fact that economies are sustained by high level production growth. The group which started in 1998 with seven students in nursery and primary school in a rented apartment has today grown to a conglomerate of 17 colleges, one university and a hospital. It comprises of the Nigerian Tulip International Colleges, Nile University of Nigeria and Nizamiye Hospital, among others. With over 2000 employees and still counting, “we reinvest our dividend in the area of education and health here in Nigeria,” said Basturk. It is noteworthy that 17% of the students are on scholarship - from college to university level. And through the NTIC Foundation the group embarks on corporate social responsibility in collaboration with the parents and other government institutions.

The First Surat Group has demonstrated competence and effective collaborations with the states and federal government for decades by having huge involvements in the education and health sectors of the economy. Their contribution to the growth and development of the Nigeria’s economy is worthy of commendation especially in the area of employment and capacity building in the science and technology sub-sector.

The 5th convocation of the Nile University is indeed a technology advancement event that is capable of changing the industrial sector in the petroleum and chemical engineering, civil and construction, electrical and mechanical, to mention but a few. The whole idea of government position is to advance technical capacity in the industrial sector and encourage investors to put in their money for sustainable growth and development of the science and technology sector.

The emphasis by First Surat Group on Science and Technology can be said to be borne out of need and lack in that sector, having looked at the performance of industries in Nigeria in the last three decades. It is therefore important to encourage the contributions and partnership between government and the group to advance the sector and train young people to be competent in the manufacturing and production of various forms of goods.

.Nigeria is concerned about sustainable growth in the public and private sectors, especially developing and revamping the industrial and manufacturing sectors through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) which fundamentally will translate to better Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Government regulatory frameworks for increased production by manufacturing industries and agricultural products are part of deliberate plans to encourage investors locally and direct foreign investments (DFI).

The Nile University of Nigeria is not just a university, but a community. Some of the past students have distinguished themselves in their various endeavours. One of the promises the school made was to ensure high and quality academic standards at all time. This much has been achieved through the support of the university council members, the commitment of the management and staff of the university and of course, the active cooperation of the students. Basturk said the convocation was emotional because Nigerian sons and daughters would be going into the wider world. “To all the graduates in this hall, I ask these questions: who do you want to be? What inspires you? How do you want to give back to the society? I am convinced you all have the answers at your fingertips,” he said

Nile University of Nigeria has graduated 270 students (99 undergraduates and 171 post graduates) from 23 departments, 4% of whom are First Class Honour students, 22% Second Class Upper while 11% earned Second Class Lower. The university graduated students from the Faculty of Law, Faculty of Management Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Petroleum and Gas, Department of Public Administration, Mass Communication and College of Health Sciences.