March 2, 2018

Some Postgraduate Students of the Nassarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) on Friday urged Nigerian leaders to refocus their attention to enable the country  attain the highest level in science and technology.

They made the call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during their three-day field trip to some agencies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) including the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Abuja.

NAN reports that the theme of the three-day field trip is:“Environmental Sustainability in the Federal Capital Territory and Environs”.

One of students, Ms Juliet Ihechukwu said most leaders of the country were unconcerned about facilitating national development, especially in the areas of science and technology.

She lamented that rather their primary objective had always been self interest.

“Rating our country on a scale of 100 per cent in science and technology development, I can say we are at the level of 40 per cent.

“Nigeria is really backward and it is that way because our leaders are more interested in enriching themselves and they are power hungry.

“If we must grow as a nation, leaders should put the interest of all citizens into consideration above personal wants.”

Another student, Mr David Monday, also said that naked ambition to capture power had been the driving force behind most politicians in the country, adding that majority of public office holders are lacking in competence to bring about sustainable development.

He urged competent Nigerians who will bring in expertise to bear on the nation’s development process to seek elective political offices, and focus more on science and technology.

“The democratic space is in dire need of experts in different specialties to make the difference.

“It is when patriotic Nigerians mount the saddle to efficiently equip schools with facilities needed for education that will drive the process to the overall national development.’’

Similarly, Ms Mariam Mohammed bemoaned the prevailing attitude in the educational sector whereby lecturers were less bothered about their students’ performances in critical areas like in the sciences.

“In our educational sector, you find out that even the lecturers don’t want to know how their students are faring in their courses.

“Some of them are just interested in selling books, handouts and whether you read it or not is not their business.

“It is only when they are more interested in their students’ performance than enriching themselves, they will organise practicals that will aid learning.”

NAN reports that the field trip was enable the students to carry out their respective fieldwork, suggest measures to environmental challenges in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals.