Reduce over dependence on finite and non-renewable resources — Ogun Poly Rector warns

The Rector of the Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, *Engr. Dr.(Mrs.) Olufunke Akinkurolere, FNSE has warned that Nigeria should reduce over dependence on finite and non-renewable resources, that the crude oil depended upon by Nigeria will dry up one day or become useless soon*.

According to Akinkurolere, the crude oil drilling or extraction is like mining, saying whatever is being mined would be exhausted one day.

Aside this, the Rector expressed concerns that even if the oil does not dry up, it would soon become “very useless” owing to the fact that many developed nations are now finding alternative sources of energy to power cars and generate electricity.

Akinkurolere spoke at the first International Conference organised by the polytechnic. 

Speaking on the theme of the conference, ‘Harnessing Technical, Entrepreneurial, And Vocational Education for Sustainable Economic Development’, the academia maintained that the world has entered an era in which every one’s concerns are contributions to the well-being of others, for now and in the future. 

According to her, the idea of sustainable development was conceived in the early 1970s when the need was felt to preserve our natural resources as they were depleting in a very faster rate. 

Prior to that time, she recalled that development was unsustainable as people started to tamper with the ecosystem.

“In the olden days, you can just go to the bush and cut down trees. We were not even mindful of the need to plant new ones. But now, it became dawn on us that if we don’t want to get to a stage that there will no more be trees in the forest, we have to look for a way out. That’s why this issue of sustainability started coming in. Whatever you are doing today, you have to take cognizance of tomorrow. The green economy, green environment being talked about is anchored on sustainability. 

“Today in our country, we have to start looking away from petroleum because after a while, the petrol will finish. It’s like you’re mining something; it’s not something that is everlasting. Even if the oil does not finish, a lot of countries are already developing alternative sources of energy. We now use solar without any need for power generators. That will save the environment because of no pollution from diesel.

“In the developed countries, we now have electric vehicles that don’t use any fuel at all; you just need to plug it like you are charging your phone. If that is perfected in our nations, then there will be no need for fuel. It means this our oil will become very useless. That’s why we are told that there is the need for us to go back to farm. Farming is the only thing I know can actually sustain us. Farming can never go into extinction, it will always be there. We cannot depend on oil. We need to look for alternative sources of energy,” she advised.

Akinkurolere explained that Nigeria could not achieve vision 2020 for different reasons.

However, she warned that, “we must not fail to achieve vision 2030. If we sit down without doing anything, the 2030 will be at our door in the twinkling of an eye.”

Speaking on the 1st Annual International Conference of Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, Akinkurolere asserted that: “As you all may be aware, the conference focuses on sustainable economic development, in which we seek deliberations on harnessing technical, entrepreneurial, and vocational education. Against this backdrop, the conference is a forum in which participants will present papers, network for future collaborations, publish, socialize and travel to find out what’s new. 

“In my view, there is no better way to ensure our response to the call for sustainable economic development is truly meaningful than to involve the people we aim to serve. This has the importance that the knowledge we generate, the knowledge we come up with and the skills we develop should go towards uplifting the lifestyles of the people we serve. The outcomes of this conference will therefore have no meaning unless they reach the end users or put to practical use. Otherwise, we shall have volumes and volumes of knowledge, some on our shelves, and others on the internet without any consumer. 

“Through our community service and outreach programmes, we can promote knowledge and technology transfer, thereby contributing towards the realization of sustainable economic development.”