Stakeholders at the third Dr Diran Fawibe Annual Lecture Series have called for holistic development of a national framework to achieve sustainable energy access, reduction of losses and security.
They made the call in Ibadan on Wednesday at an event organised by International Energy Services Limited, the Centre for Petroleum Energy Economy and Law and the University of Ibadan (UI).
In his keynote lecture, Mr Austin Avuru, the Chairman, AA Holding and pioneer Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, underscored the need for strategic plan.
He noted that developing such towards energy transition with specific objectives will position Nigeria for opportunities in renewable energy before the crude oil vanish.
Avuru said energy security would ensure growth for the country and economic opportunities for reducing unemployment among other challenges facing the cot.
“Nigeria must therefore use its resources to generate energy and take the people out of energy poverty. We must use those resources to solve our energy problem.
We have to build our internal refining capacity.
“There must be a framework for developmental strides that ensure energy security for us. we must plan what will be inevitable”, he said.
Group Chairman of International Energy Services, Dr Diran Fawibe underscored the importance of partnerships for the country to scale the present hurdles in energy accessiblity and building sustainability.
Fawibe stated that the consequence of energy poverty were very clear over the years.
“We are looking at issues of job creation.
In the country, we are looking at access to healthcare.
“We are looking at access to energy for educational development and so many other things.
“It’s only government that can tackle this in partnership with the private sector and the university academia.
“It’s still an idea that can be used as a vehicle good to do research and come up with some of the innovative technology,” he said.
Fawibe reiterated that this was crucial to providing solutions to the problems within the country pledging his commitment to ensuring it happened.
In his address the Chief Executive Officer of International Energy Services Ltd, Mr Bayo Ige said Nigeria must striving for economic growth and energy independence.
According to him, this can be achieved through collaboration with stakeholders to achieve energy security.
“As a nation striving for economic growth and energy independence, we must engage in forward-looking conversations and collaborative actions that will shape the policies and partnership needed to ensure a sustainable energy future,” Ige said.
Also, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Rahamon Bello urged well meaning Nigerians to take a cue for Dr Fawibe by investing in research and discuss that would benefit Nigeria.
“Our challenges are unique in Nigeria and Africa and we must have home grown solutions to these challenges.
“Our research funding efforts must be adequate and targeted to have the needed results,” Bello said.
He underscored the role of Nigeria as a pace setter for other African countries through involvement in solving local and international problems through research in universities in Europe and America particularly.
“Hence, with the right conditions and incentives, we should be able to find more amenable solutions to the myriad of challenges facing the nation from issues on energy to other social and economic issues,” Bello said.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, UI, Prof Kayode Adebowale, was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Admin), Prof. Peter Olapegba, said energy has been the lifeblood of modern economies.
He stated that its availability, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability were indispensable for driving industrialization, improving the quality of life, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Director of CPEEL, Prof. Olugbenga Falode, said energy security should be a shared national vision, hence collaboration was needed to achieve and sustain it.
There was a panel session which was moderated by Mrs. Moroti Adedoyin-Adeyinka. The panel, comprising Mr. Pierrepont Vanhaecke, Prof. Ikechukwu, Engr. Valerie Agberagba, Prof. Ibrahim Sulaiman and Prof. Days Ayoade. They all submitted that there is hope in the energy sector.
The panel session
Present at the lecture were Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, Prof. Akin Iwayemi, Dr Alarudeen Aminu, Prof. Olabode Lucas, and others.
