Kogiflame
The Vice-Chancellor Confluence University of Science and Technology, (CUSTECH) Osara Prof. Abdulrahman Salawu has said the time has come for universities in the country to invest in nurturing the next generation of engineers and leaders who will carry forward late Engineer Joseph Oyeyani Makoju’s legacy.
The late Engr. Makoji was the former Managing Director of the defunct National Electricity Power Authority (NEPA)/ Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).
The Vice Chancellor made this known at the Federal University Lokoja, Felele campus during the 3rd Annual Memorial Lecture organized by the institution in honour of the late Engineer Joseph Oyeyani Mokoja.
The Vice-Chancellor who delivered the memorial lecture titled “Joseph Oyeyani Makoju: Archetype of Adaptive Energy Transition and Cement Manufacturing” a professor of metallurgical engineering further stated that investing in human capital development which he said was one of the areas the late Makoju has invested in.
He noted that “it is crucial for sustaining national progress”, and advocated for active nurturing of the next generation of engineers, policymakers and industry leaders.
“While in active service late Engineer Joseph Oyeyani Makoju often time emphasized much on the importance of developing local engineering capabilities, a crucial factor in driving sustainable development.
“His (Makoju) dedication to developing local talent and ensuring those talents were included in national infrastructure projects is an example that Nigerians must follow” the guest lecturer said.
Earlier in his speech the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja (FUL) , Professor Olayemi Akinwumi said the memorial lecture was instituted by the university as the modest way of honouring the immense contributions and impactful life of late Engineer Joseph Makoju.
Professor Akinwumi described him as a colossus in the energy and manufacturing sectors, a nation builder, and above all, a man who gave selflessly for the growth of education and the betterment of humanity.
“At the 2nd memorial lecture, the Makoju family announced a very generous donation of a lecture theatre to the university in honour of their beloved patriarch. To the glory of God, I am pleased to announce that the lecture theatre has been completed and was commissioned on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
“This year’s edition of the memorial lecture is therefore historic, as it is the first to be held in this magnificent edifice. This is a testimony of what visionary support to education can achieve” the VC said.
In her remark, the matriarch of Makoju family Mrs Gladys Joseph Makoju averred that Nigeria has enormous brain that are capable of developing the country, and urged well meaning Nigerians and corporate organizations to support universities in driving the programmes that can take the country to the next level of development.
