Former UniAbuja VC Retires @70, Holds Retirement Lecture

To further ensure economic development and technological breakthrough in Nigeria, a Professor of Physics from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Professor Ayodeji Awodugba wants the Federal Government to invest in Semiconductor.

Professor Awodugba made the call in Abuja while delivering the Retirement Lecture of a former Vice Chancellor University of Abuja, Professor James Adewale Adelabu.

Professor Awodugba who spoke on the topic “The Need To Join The War”, described the war as that of investment in Semiconductor.

According to him, by the year 2032 the global semiconductor industry would be worth two trillion dollars hence the need for Nigeria to tap into the economic benefits of a semiconductor.

Professor Awodugba stated that investing in semiconductor would also enhance industrialization through the setting of plants thereby ensuring job creation and poverty reduction in the country.

According to him, the move will equally give Nigeria the opportunity to dominate the African market thereby boosting the country’s Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, and Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

“If the world is going to generate two trillion dollars in 2032 and beyond, how much of it can we benefit from that? the answer is simply zero because there’s no investment in it for now therefore there’s the need for the Federal Government to focus in that direction because if Nigeria is able to get one percent of the financial benefit of semiconductor by 2032, it will go a long way in repositioning the country for better”.

In a remark, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Patricia Manko Lar, who commended the contributions of Professor Adelabu, during the five years of his tenure, described him as a sound Professor of Physics that has also contributed his quota to the nation’s educational development.

Professor Lar advised scholars in the field of Physics to tap from the wealth of knowledge of Professor Adelabu towards enhancing technological breakthrough in the country.

Earlier, the Celebrant, Professor Adelabu gave God all the glory for giving him the opportunity to attain the peak of his career and for seeing him through as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja.

While appreciating the Guest Lecturer, Professor Ayodeji Awodugba, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Patricia Manko Lar and other Scholars as well as all those who attended the Retirement Lecture, he also stressed the need for the Federal Government to invest in research for national development.

Other guests who attended the lecture, including the minister in charge of First Baptist Church, Gwagwalada Abuja, and Reverend Deji Oyelami congratulated Prof Adelabu on his retirement and wished him all the best in his future endeavours.

In a vote of thanks, the Wife of the Celebrant, Mrs Naomi Adelabu also thanked all the Guests for honouring the family’s invitation.

Highpoint of the Retirement Lecture was the presentation of gifts to Professor Adelabu as well as the cutting of his 70th Birthday cake.

Mathew Ayoola, Edited By Grace Namiji