Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State lamented has lamented that Nigerians were living in fear, following the unending insecurity across the country.
The governor, therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately rise to the occasion.
Governor Akeredolu said this while receiving members of the Governing Board of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), led by its chairman, Amb. Godknows Boladei Igali, in his office, in Akure said, “The people are living in fear and something must be done urgently to address the situation and restore hope to the people.
“Look at what is happening in Zamfara. They try to clothe it and call them bandits. They are terrorists. So, the growth in science cannot be based on just your charge but the conducive environment in the country.”
The governor stressed the need to make the country livable for the people, so they could harness their talents for national growth.
“To achieve Nigeria’s goals for science and technological advancement, the country must be made conducive for living, particularly for the young ones.
“For us in science and technology, we need to do more. Japanese, Chinese and other developed countries send people to where science is the best.
“We have heard of countries that send their people to the USA to train in science and technology.
“They didn’t stay there. They went back to their countries to develop them. Commitment to one’s country is key. But we need to make this country a livable place so that the young ones will be confident and have hope to live in this country,’’ he said.
Speaking on open grazing, Governor Akeredolu emphasised the need for the country to embrace modern ways of animal husbandry, describing open grazing as old and now illegal in Ondo State.
He continued, “Today, I can say there are modern ways of animal husbandry and we have to take the bull by the horns. We are not afraid to take decisions.
“Modernity has taught us that you can extract more milk from cows in a modern way better than when you take them from one place to another. It is about science. People have developed that science.
“I’m happy when I see Mr. President go to Katsina and visit his cows. They are well kept. We must embrace technology of animal husbandry,’’ he said.
The governor described FUTA as one of the leading universities in the country, particularly in terms of research.
“We take pride in FUTA and its achievements over time. And I have had serious connections with FUTA not only as a governor.
“We have strong relationship with FUTA. FUTA for us is one of the leading universities of technology in Nigeria if not the leading one. One of our lecturers won the best researcher award in the country. I congratulate you,” Governor Akeredolu said.
Earlier, Amb. Igali, who was accompanied by the FUTA’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Adeola Fuwape, lauded the strides of the governor.
