Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged Nigerian universities to champion technological innovation and develop made-in-Nigeria solutions to reduce reliance on imported goods.
Speaking at the 35th convocation and 50th anniversary lecture of the University of Port Harcourt, his alma mater, Diri emphasized the need for modernized curricula to prepare students for the digital age.
“We must abandon a mindset that belittles artisans and vocational skills,” Diri said, as reported in a press release by his spokesperson, Daniel Alabrah.
“This is why we import basic items like toothpicks and sharpeners.”
He called for increased budgetary allocations for education, supported by private sector collaboration and donor agencies, to drive research and innovation.
Diri highlighted his administration’s Bayelsa Promoting Reform to Improve and Modernise Education (BayelsaPRIME) policy, which integrates information technology into primary education, and the establishment of an ICT hub in Yenagoa to promote digital literacy.
He announced plans to construct a staff housing project at the University of Port Harcourt before his tenure ends, reinforcing his commitment to the institution’s development.
The university honored Diri with the Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Lifetime Achievement in Education Partnership Award for his contributions to education in Bayelsa and his support for his alma mater.
He was among 50 distinguished alumni recognized during the university’s golden jubilee. Vice Chancellor Prof. Owunari Georgewill commended the 861 graduands and praised Diri’s dedication.
He expressed hope that the university’s next 50 years would focus on “not just prestige but purpose, not just knowledge but impact.”
The governor underscored the role of universities in tackling Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges through research tailored to local needs.
He cited BayelsaPRIME’s success in improving learning outcomes by equipping teachers and students with digital tools as a model for other states.
“Our universities must become incubators of innovation, producing solutions that resonate with our people,” he said.
Diri’s housing pledge was warmly received, with university officials noting its potential to enhance staff welfare and academic productivity. Prof. Georgewill described the governor’s commitment as a testament to his vision for education as a catalyst for development, urging other alumni to follow Diri’s example in supporting the institution.
Diri was accompanied by his wife, Justice Patience Diri; Bayelsa State House of Assembly Speaker, Abraham Ingobere; PANDEF National Chairman, Amb. Boladei Igali; Chief of Staff, Dr. Peter Akpe; General Manager of the Bayelsa Housing and Property Development Authority, Dr. Tonye Isenah; and other officials.
