Professor Godknows Igali the Pro Chancellor of Federal University Akure has advised the president-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize the fixing of the nation’s power sector in order to boost the economy, achieve appreciable success and development for the nation.
Igali stated this while delivering the 1st Lecture in memory of late Engr. Joseph Oyeyani-Makoju at Adankolo campus of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Adankolo campus Lokoja.
In his lecture, titled: “The Apogee of National Service and Vision for the Nigerian Power Sector: Reflection on the life and Times of Engr. Joseph Oyeyani-Makoju”, Igali assured that there is hope for the nation’s power sector.
Igali expressed worry that despite all the changes and reforms made in the energy sector over the years, Nigeria electricity supply industry remained “lethargic, wasteful and unable to play its critical role in the national economy.
“For a country that is greatly endowed with multiple sources, it is a sad reality that these changes have not been fully tapped. We also need to build more dams around the Benue River system,” he said.
According to him , the reforms of the power sector were well intended at ensuring a well-developed National Power Sector Industry, lamenting that the improvements in service delivery had been lacklustre and unable to meet the expected targets.
Ambassador Igali who identified factors responsible for the lack of improvement in the sector to include, serious payment issues, unimpressive regulator of the sector, low level of capital infusion and limited energy mix, urged the incoming administration lead by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize power sector to serve the economy of the nation.
While paying great tribute to the late Engr Makoju for the tremendous role and selfless service rendered in the reformation and development of the power sector in Nigeria, he commended the present administration in the country for its efforts in reforming the power sector and stressed the need for the incoming government to work seriously towards ensuring a robust power sector.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, described the lecture as a celebration of life and time of the late Engr. Makoju and commended his passion for power reforms in Nigeria.
“There is no doubt that the power sector has contributed immensely to the growth and development of Nigeria. Engr. Joseph Makoju’s passion for power in Nigeria was second to none. No wonder,he dedicated his entire life to power generation and reformation in Nigeria,” he said.
The matriach of the Makoju family, Dr. Gladys Adesuwa Makoju in her remarks thanked the university management and array of personalities that turned up to honour her husband.
Dr. Makoju,who announced the donation of the house of her late husband in Lokoja to serve as Centre for the foundation,promised to keep the flag of the legacy of her late husband flying, especially in the area as scholarship programme and humanitarian services among others.
One of the children of the deceased, Dr.Ovayoza Adeleye, a U S-based medical practitioner, described her father as a strict disciplinarian, highly unassuming, loved and cared for his family and trained them to attain greater heights in education and sound moral upbringing to become responsible leaders in their various positions today.
Represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the State Governnent, Dr. Folashade Ayo Arike, Governor Yahaya Bello also commended the deceased for his enormous contributions to the power sector and the wellbeing of many people.