The conference with the theme ‘Sustainable Development: Leaving No One Behind “focused on Environmental Protection and Enhancement, Social progress, Sustainable Development Goals SDGs, and Economic Development for Nigeria and other African countries.
In her welcome address, the Convener of the maiden conference,Professor Ganiyat Adesina-Uthman, stated that the event was organised to identify indigent but talented young Technopreneurs and provide them with the necessary support to attain desired goals in their Careers.
According to Adesina-Uthman, who is a visiting Professor to CRIDE, UK, said Nigeria and Africa are lagging behind in many human development indices.
She added that the conference will provide platform for a paradigm shift in how sustainable development can contribute to national development in African countries, especially Nigeria.
In her words;“The world is full of great opportunities but also challenges. CRIDE aims to identify these opportunities innovatively, with a focus on research and entrepreneurial activities.
“We are collaborating with researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and young technopreneurs. These technopreneurs are young individuals making remarkable strides in the field of innovation.
“Recently, CRIDE awarded a scholarship to a Nigerian boy featured in a BBC Yoruba documentary as a promising technopreneur while still at Government Technical College.
“Qoyyum Ayomide Adewole is now studying Metallurgical Engineering at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos. We seek to identify such promising technopreneurs and assist them, especially those in need of financial support.
“This conference is about making an impact and has brought together intellectuals, bureaucrats, top industry players, including ministries and parastatals, to deliberate on advancing our nation, the African continent, and the world towards achieving sustainable development.
“Nigeria has made moderate progress in only four of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and remains stagnant in 12, indicating that we are falling behind.
“So, how can we, as a nation and as an African continent facing such challenges, ensure we are not left behind in every sector health, economy, politics, environment, and particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and how can we use AI to solve our problems in Africa? We have already fallen behind, but how can we harness our human and capital resources, both in Nigeria and other African countries? We must come together to ensure that the continent progresses and that everyone participates in the development process,” Professor Adesina-Uthman told Tribune Online.
In his welcome address, the President/CEO of CRIDE,Dr. Kayode Adenuga said that the conference will provide opportunity for the participants to present and discuss research,and also create a platform to build networks, inspire creativity, and foster partnerships that transcend borders.
He maintained that the intersection of research, innovation, and entrepreneurship is the key to unlocking solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
In his address,Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters expressed optimism that the conference will ultimately assist in identifying particular theoretical frameworks, pragmatic models and policies that will depict the knowledge process and tackle unusual circumstances in Africa and other continents.
The opening ceremony of the Conference had in attendance Academics including Vice Chancellor of NOUN Prof, students and other stakeholders in and outside education sector.
CRIDE UK is mandated to extend research visibility and collaborate with like-minded researchers, professionals, engineers, scientists, and young scholars from around the world who are passionate about using their skills and expertise to find solutions to various problems affecting their immediate environments, both in England and globally.
