Development: Auto designer recommends collective strategic innovation
NAN-H-52
Lecture
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Nov. 15, 2016 (NAN) A famous global Automotive Designer, Mr Jelani Aliyu of General Motors, U.S.A., on Friday said building a nation of incredible accomplishments required collective strategic innovation.
He said this at the 39th Convocation Lecture organised by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) held at the main campus, Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jelani spoke on: “Innovation key to economic growth and development”.
He said: “Together, through strategic innovation, we can build a nation of incredible accomplishments; a Nigeria of peace, abundance and enlightenment for everyone, everywhere.”
According to him, the innovative concepts presented in his lecture and others like them are what are needed to collectively create a better future for Nigeria.
He observed that the intellectual capacity and vision of individual citizens were technically viable for development.
“So, we must strategically ensure that the population is empowered to dream big, to imagine boldly and to go for the impossible, only then can we as a nation move forward and achieve good success.
“The very survival of our nation, and specifically that of our people, is at stake. For so long we have unnecessarily endured challenges, even though solutions lie within our grasp.
“We must unlock those powerful capabilities within us, and leverage them to innovate and develop applicable new technologies, products and business models,” Jelani said.
The genius advocated that initiatives to support innovation must be set in place early to promote and prepare for culture of discovery at the tertiary level of education and beyond.
In his speech, the Chairman of the occasion and ABU Chancellor, Mr Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, said despite hurdles, Jelani had broken all barriers to become the best global person in his chosen carrier.
The Royal Father observed that: “Great societies are not built by government(s) but by people like Jelani and people like you and I.”
Earlier, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, said it was always a tradition of ABU to look out for the best and that’s what informed the decision to select Jelani for this year’s convocation lecture.
The vice chancellor said the university had for quite a long time tried to develop a “made in Nigeria vehicle” and it eventually actualised its dream.
“The car invented by ABU is not for pleasure or luxury, but it is a car meant for racing,” Garba however said. (NAN)
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Edited by Tola Okinbaloye/Muhammad Suleiman Tola