…as School of Science, Computer Studies hold 8th Biennial Conference in Ekiti
By Precious Oham
Scientists in the country have converged on the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, to brainstorm towards Nigeria’s economic recovery in the Post Covid-19 era.
The convergence is at the instance of the 8th Biennial International Conference of the School of Science and Computer Studies.
The conference hosted by Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti had the theme, “Scientists’ Roles for Sustainable Economic Recovery In Post Covid-19 Era”, with scientists drawn from the academic and medical profession.
Delivery the Lead Paper on “Building Resilient Health System in Africa Beyond Covid-19 Pandemic Response” the Head, Department of Anatomic Pathology, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Dr. Abidemi Emmanuel Omonisi, said that government at all sectors must maintain the health facilities towards sustainability of the nation’s economy.
He added that priority should be placed on manufacturing consumables for the health facility aimed at sustaining the health infrastructures.
He said: “We must maintain our health system by building capacity so that we can prepare ourselves for the forthcoming pandemic. We must promote community participation and health workers engagement.
“If you can buy a microscope to the hospital, buy certain drugs, you are contributing your own quota in strengthening the health facility in your locality. We must ensure medical supplies to the hospitals. These common consumables should be made available in our country.
“Those technology that were deployed during the Covid-19 era must be sustained and build health infrastructures, state of art laboratories, diagnosis centres, maintenance centres etc.”
In his welcome address, the Rector of the Institution, Dr. D. H. Oladebeye, represented by the Deputy Rector, Academic, Olusegun Dada, charged the participants to arise at this crucial time to facilitate the nation’s economic recovery.
Dr. Oladebeye went further to highlight that various sub-themes was chosen aimed at proffering insights to the expected roles of the Scientists.
His words: “Scientists need to arise at this crucial time of economic crisis and channel its energy towards harnessing and utilising the power of science and technology to facilitate economic recovery in all areas.
“Various highlighted sub-themes of this conference would go in addressing the theme of this conference and proffering insights to the expected roles of scientists in actualising sustainable economic recovery if well researched and presented.”
Earlier in his address, the Dean, School of Science and Computer Studies, S.A Osanyinlusi, said that participants at the conference are expected to come up with ideas, suggestions and recommendations that will address economic misfortunes associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.
There was keynote address by Prof. Gafar Oyeyemi from the Department of Statistics, Univeristy of Ilorin on “The Role of Data Science in Sustainable Economic Development in Post Covid-19”.