By Amby Uneze
As the world tilts towards technological advancement in virtually every sphere of life, it becomes expedient to train best brains to engineer technological innovations especially in Solar panel development as a possible way of engaging Nigerian youths to usefulness.
Delivering the 39th Inaugural Lecture at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) last week, the lecturer, Prof Emeka Emmanuel Oguzie maintained that for the country to boost technological breakthrough in green energy revolution, it should establish a Center For Excellence with the right tools to train the youths in the Technological innovations with particular reference on how to develop parts of solar panels, adding that Nigeria has vibrant youth population.
Prof Oguzie of the Department of Chemistry in his theme "Nature Inspired Materials Protection: Bridging Degradation Science and The Green Energy Revolution observed that corrosion remains the silent threat to progress of clean energy.
He said that his research work focused more on Corrosion, Protection of diverse materials in varied environments using nature-inspired strategies.
The Inaugural Lecturer made it clear that the lecture came at a pivotal moment, as the global push for sustainable energy demands not just innovation but durability.
Oguzie stated that the lecture expanded to address the vulnerabilities of renewable energy systems, solar panels, batteries ,hydrogen electrolyzers where corrosion threatens not just performance but sustainability itself.
He said the lecture is to explore how solving the age-long problem of corrosion is essential to securing a sustainable energy future as the theme "Harnessing Nature's Chemistry for Sustainable Protection and Innovation," calls for practical, eco-friendly solutions inspired by nature, from biomass-based inhibitors to bio-inspired materials that protect and prolong the life of clean technologies.
He also suggested that the University System needs to be supported to enable them achieve their goals and contribute their own quota towards the development of the country.
Prof. Oguzie stressed the need for the best brains, those that made first class in the university to be employed in the University.
For Nigeria's progress, Prof. Oguzie suggested three interconnected pillars: empowered youth, repatriated expertise, and revitalized University. He contended that the youth embody energy, creativity, and innovation; returning experts bring experience, structure, and mentorship; while university provides the fertile ground where ideas take root and mature into solutions.
He thanked the Vice Chancellor Of FUTO Prof. Mrs. Nnennaya Oti, his colleagues in the university management team, and the department of chemistry for their support during the research work.
In her remarks the Vice Chancellor Of FUTO, Prof. Oti thanked Prof. Oguzie for such a wonderful lecture. She expressed joy that Prof. Oguzie did a lot of research work on the topic of the lecture.
The Inaugural Lecture was well attended by notable personalities within and outside Imo State.
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