The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, said that his administration was taking strategic steps to empower its young population and leverage the energy sector for economic growth.
He stated this during the Diran Fawibe Annual lecture series, organised by the International Energy Services Ltd, in collaboration with the Center for Petroleum Energy Economics and Law and the University of Ibadan, held at the International Conference Center, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, the state capital.
The governor, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Administration, Idowu Ogedengbe, said the state recognised the crucial role that energy plays in driving progress, adding, “This move is expected to provide avenues for resource exploration and the establishment of thriving industries.
“The leaders and policymakers in the state have set their sights on fostering an environment that upholds principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability. By prioritizing these values, they aim to create a state where the welfare and aspirations of the citizens are at the forefront of decision-making processes.
“One of the key areas of focus is the energy sector, as it plays a vital role in driving economic development. With the newly enacted Energy Act Regulatory Commission, the state government is seeking to take advantage of the regulatory framework and explore the untapped potential of various energy resources. By doing so, they aim to establish industries that will not only boost economic growth but also create employment opportunities for the youth.”
Speaking on the topic titled, “Shaping The Future, Building Legends”, the guest speaker and Chief Investment Officer, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Upstream Investment Management Services, Bala Wunti charged the academic communities to equip their students with the required skills that will enable them not only become competent in their chosen career but also confident and courageous to make informed decisions in their personal or business life.
He said, “It will go a long way in making them step into the legendary environment, we want to create legends and we want the University of Ibadan to continue to be vanguard for creating those legends. There is the need for a compelling collaboration between the academics, policymakers, and the public to co-create solutions to tackling the country’s compelling challenges.”
Also speaking, the Chairman, of International Energy Services, Diran Fawibe said the lecture was aimed at bringing the academia and the industry together and seeing the need for the Universities to serve as integrators for the development of technology in the country.
Fawibe stated, “The results of research should be known to be transmitted into development, in other countries of the world that have reached advanced development, universities use to be an integral part of that development in which case, some of the studies done in the universities are presented and translated into avenues for development for the various sectors of their economy, so it should be the same in our own universities, it shouldn’t be a case of doing research just for the sake of research and remain on paper and bookshelves.”
