BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

Ilorin – Former Chairman, Association of African Universities, AAU,  and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin,   Professor  Ishaq Oloyede, has advised the incoming cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan, to make development and innovations in science and technology its priority.

The Vice-Chancellor spoke at the opening ceremony of 1st Joint International Conference of the University and Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa in Ilorin.

Prof. Oloyede, represented by the Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Academics),  Luke Ayorinde, said the theme of the conference;  “Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development”,  was appropriate because it was relevant as a way forward to the problems of the underdeveloped countries.

His words, “I must commend the organisers of the international conference from the choice of the theme which I considered very apt , appropriate, relevant and timely considering the level of poverty, sufferings, bad governance, hunger, strive, war, underdevelopment, diseases, natural and man-made disasters and other unpleasant happenings pervading our dear continent, Africa’.

“It is important, therefore, that all hands must not only be on deck but be busy on deck if these vices are to reduced.”

Oloyede added that  technology and innovations were key to successful sustainable development.”