From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
A University Don, Professor Benjamin Mopah Dauda on Wednesday in Lokoja called on the Governments at all levels and captain of industries to challenge academics with researches on critical and development issues in order to move the nation forward.
Professor Benjamin Mopah Dauda made the call while delivering his inaugural lecture at the Federal University, Adankolo campus Lokoja on Wednesday.
He said while many nations are spending billions of dollars on research and development and commissioning their intellectuals to undertake the task, Nigeria should not lag behind if it must take quantum leap into future.
The University Don said the academics in this country have been under utilised in the area of research, stressing that apart from teaching , a greater part of the functions of academia is to undertake research, which he said, government and industrialists are treating with levity.
Prof. Dauda pointed out that no nation develop on the foreign nationals, hence, the government and industrialists as a matter of necessity begin to task their researchers on ways to solving societal pressing needs.
He, however, called on the government to test the academics with research proposals and make the grant available to see whether they will deliver or not, saying, Nigeria academics have what it takes to move the nation forward technologically if patronised.
Dauda, a professor of polymer in the faculty of Science, Federal University Lokoja in his lecture title Polymer: Materials Driving Technological Advancement, said, today’s world is ruled by polymer derivatives and as such, Nigeria will be doing itself disservice if it fails to move with the emerging polymer technology.
In his definition, “polymer, is a any of a class of natural or synthetic substances composed of very large molecules, called macromolecules, which are multiples of simpler chemical units called monomers, and a make up of many of the materials in living organisms which are the basis of minerals and man-made materials.”
He said polymer is taking the centre stage in the manufactures of these products because of its light weight, minimal corrosion, durability and easy processing, while helping to conserve energy usage.
Prof. Dauda explained the great advantage in migrating to polymer composites in manufacturing of essential materials such as the production of paints, Foams, adhesives, rubber ; plastics., aeroplanes, cars with less energy consumption compared with those built on steel.
Professor Dauda who disclosed that polymer is being used to replace steel because of its potentials for fatigue resistance and capable of addressing catastrophic failure noted that among other usefulness of polymer in this modern technology advancement is its high impact in the detection of faults within composites.
On the frequent oil spillage, oil theft and pipelines burst leading to over three million barrels spill into the ecosystem with its consequences on man and economic losses, Prof. Dauda said he is working to Control the sorbent from bunch sheet of polystyrene and polypropylene to develop large weight materials.
