By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
The Vice Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), Professor Bashiru Garba, has stated that no nation can attain meaningful development without sustainable energy.
Prof. Bashiru, who stated this while delivering his inaugural lecture Thursday at the University’s auditorium, reassured that energy is a critical component of industrialization which in turn drives the economy, leading to development.
In the lecture titled “Chemistry, Energy and Industrialization: The Tripod of Sustainable Development”, the Vice Chancellor, who is a Professor of Renewable Energy, said, “the interplay between chemistry, energy and industrialization is crucial for achieving sustainable development.”
Continuing, Prof. Garba said: “As we navigate this 21st century, it is imperative that we prioritize innovative and sustainable solutions that balance economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection.”
While noting that more than 2 billion people, mostly in rural areas of developing countries like Nigeria, do not have access to affordable modern energy services that could help them break out of the cycle of poverty, ill-health and deprivation, Prof Bashiru submitted that it would be an enormous mistake, on moral, political and economic grounds, to ignore the plight of this deprived segment of humanity.
On the perennial energy challenges that have bedeviled Nigeria, Prof. Bashiru said, “all the countries that have advanced have sufficient per capita energy consumption,” and advised that, Nigeria should look inward for each region of the country to harness the energy resources that are available for them and get investors to invest in the generation and supply of energy to that region.
Prof. Bashiru also noted that vandals and saboteurs are hindering the energy attainment drive, and appealed to all and sundry to always ensure protection of critical infrastructures.
The inaugural lecture, chaired by the Pro Chancellor of the University, Prof Attahiru Jega also had in attendance members of the University’s Governing Board, captains of industry and agricultural experts as well as academic and non academic staff of the institution.
