The Sixteenth edition of the annual lecture organised by the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, titled:- “ICT and Innovative Governance: A Panacea for Youth Empowerment and Migration”, held on Wednesday the 25th of January, 2023 at the BUPF International Conference Centre, by 1:00pm. The Vice-Chancellor and other members of the University Community graced the occasion.
The lecture commenced with a welcome address by the Dean, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Prof. V.N. Atasie.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Jeremiah O. Ojediran, during his goodwill message, congratulated the Dean, staff and students of the host College, COLNAS, on the special event, highlighting the history of the College and commending them for their positive contributions to the growth of the University. The Vice-Chancellor acknowledged the presence of the Guest Lecturer, noting that the lecture would be another positive contribution to the knowledge repository of the University.
After the remark by the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. M.A. Adegoke read the citation of the Guest Lecturer, Prof. Charles O. Uwadia (FNCS), Professor of Computer Science, University of Lagos. He was afterwards invited to deliver his lecture. In the lecture, Professor Uwadia categorically stated that the major audience he targeted were the students of the University. He pointed out that the trending slang ‘Japa’ has become a syndrome which requires very urgent attention. He noted that the slang was not common in the everyday vocabulary of Nigerians until the last two or three years when it became popular.
The lecture covered an array of issues relating to youth unemployment which has deteriorated to the ‘Japa’ syndrome because it did not receive the attention it deserved. The Guest Lecturers made recommendations. One of the notable recommendations to curb the ‘Japa’ syndrome was that youths should strive and be assisted to acquire ICT / digital skills for employability, job creation and self-reliance.
Further in the lecture, Prof. Uwadia established the need for Nigerian universities to focus on teaching students skills that could make them employable; and charged the Vice-Chancellor to set up three ICT hubs in Bells University of Technology.
In closing, the Guest Lecturer charged the students to set goals, develop right attitudes to go with values; and invest in acquiring knowledge and skills in their areas of interest. He added that they should continually learn new skills, and become masters of their chosen fields of study
Students and staff were given opportunity to ask questions and make contribution. The Guest Lecturer satisfactorily answered the questions and appreciated those that contributed their ideas. Afterwards, the Dean, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Prof V.N. Atasie appreciated the Guest Lecturer and presented Awards of Excellence to exceptional students of the College who performed excellently in the previous session.
The event has prepared a fresh stage for innovations, strategic thinking and exceptional performance. It is hoped that greater level of achievements would be recorded by the College.