NAN-H-104
Research
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Dec. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has urged postgraduate students to key into the change mantra of “Change Begins with Me” policy through research to come out with findings that would promote national development.
Mohammed made the call on Wednesday at the maiden Nigerian Graduate Students’ Collegiate Conference organised by the National Association of Nigerian Post graduate Students (NAN-POSTGRADS) in Keffi, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference has “Graduate Students, Research Outcomes and Nigeria‘s Economic Development” as its theme.
The minister, who was represented by Mrs Helen Osuagwu, the ministry’s Assistant Director (AD) of Information, said that the slogan “Change Begins with Me” was aimed at regenerating peoples’ thinking, mindset, as well as to fight corruption and to promote unity and nationalism.
He said “the theme of the conference is apt and came at an appropriate time of need to promote national growth and development.
“Research is needed to develop any sector of our economy. To conduct effective research into a matter of interest, there must be painstaking inquiries about the subject to find out relevant facts and to analyse the data obtained.
“And to adopt the outcome and policies and improve on how things are done whether the research is academic in nature or corporate, the aims are always the same, hence the need to be dedicated to research work at all times.
“So, I urge you to key into research to promote economic and national development.”
The minister explained that any academic research conducted by postgraduate students would be of great importance to the nation’s economy.
According to him, countries like Malaysia, Singapore and Japan are where they are today as a result of their investments in research and application of the outcome of such researches to improve their situations.
“The Federal Ministry of Information recently launched the multimedia campaign `Change Begins with Me’ to re-engineer our thinking, our mindset, dedication to duties and to fight corruption, as well as to promote unity and nationalism.
“I urge you all to key into the change mantra,” he stressed.
He added that the Federal Government was committed to ensuring that support was given to it and the need for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to collaborate to ensure that research outcomes were used for the mutual benefit of parties involved.
Earlier, Kinsley Enwelim-Nwanze, the National President of the Association, said the aimed of the conference was to encourage research among postgraduate students to promote national development.
He said “it is also a platform for postgraduate students to exchange ideas and views on research work, as well as to encourage our members to initiate research to
promote economic and national development.”
He commended the Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof. Mohammed Mainoma, for providing support and conducive environment for
the Association and called for its sustenance.
NAN reports that the conference featured different paper presentations on the need for postgraduate students to be up and doing in research that would promote development.
NAN also reports that the Association presented Distinguished Leadership Award to Mainoma, Distinguished Entrepreneurship Award to Bunmi Obakoya, while Dr Muiz Banire (SAN) got award for Life Achievements. (NAN)
AKW/HA
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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu