Innovation: Igbinedion University showcases school-made machines

The Management of Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO) in Edo on Tuesday showcased machines fabricated by the institution’s researchers as part of its contribution to nation’s technological development.

Our correspondent reports that the machines included a multi-purpose solid waste shredding machine, mower, gasification plant and hybrid farm produce drying machine.

Speaking during the institution’s 2023 Innovation Day, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, said the event was part of the activities lined up for the school’s Founders’ Day celebration, scheduled for May 10.

Ezemonye said that innovation and transformational research were curiosity-led necessary to stay abreast of emerging trends and practices.

He described innovation research as the bedrock of national economic growth, adding that it helps to pave the way for meritocracy, good governance and placement.

“It is important to state that key elements of innovation, which are collaboration, ideation, implementation and value, are all embedded in the approved research policy of the university.

“Our research has been on breakthroughs and disruptive innovations,” Ezemonye said.

“The institution of the IUO innovation day to form part of the activities marking the founder’s day was part of efforts to recognise the symbiotic relationship between innovation and research excellence,” he said.

According to him, the innovation day is geared towards showcasing the research and innovation adventures of our great university to the public.

The Guest Speaker, Akaehomen Ibhadode, said that innovation is key to national development and that countries that are highly innovative are expected to have good development indices.

Ibhadode, a former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum, Effurun, Delta, spoke on “The driver of national development”.

He described Nigeria as “a sleeping giant, whose research activities are uncoordinated and not directed at national development plans”.

“For the country to move forward, researches should be geared towards solving practical problems that would increase the nation’s gross domestic product.

Earlier, the the Director, Directorate of Research, Innovation and Grants, Prof. Adebayo Gbolade, said the event was anchored by the directorate established in 2022 by the university to coordinate research activities.

Gbolade said that the directorate also assists staff members in sourcing for research grants locally and internationally.

He further said that the directorate had the mandate to move the university from research for promotion purposes only to innovative research to drive national growth and development.

Highpoints of the event were the exhibition of the machines, the presentation of certificates and award to three best researchers in the university.