Education
Fashola Faults 17 Million Housing Deficit Figure As Unverified Data
L-R: Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun SAN; The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola SAN; Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Education, Mr Tokunbo Wahab at the first Lagos State University Research Fair.
By LOVETH AZODO, Lagos
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has said that the reports about Nigeria having 17million housing deficit, 10 million out of school children and a population of 200 million people are all statements from unverified data.
This is just as the minister stated that national development can not progress without proper data collection, urging institutions to form the habit of questioning data in order to publish verifiable data that will influence decision and stimulate policies in the society.
Fashola stated this at the first Lagos State University Research Fair: Driving National Development through Research and Innovation held Tuesday within the University complex.
Fashola who noted that nobody has verified these statements, however said: “I agree that there are challenges with housing supply but is the problem the same in the rural areas as it is in the Urban areas? How many unoccupied houses are in our villages now as we sit here?
The problems, waste, traffic and housing management are more pronouncing in the urban sectors are they also that way in the rural sectors? The last census we conducted was in 2006, among 11 local government nine was announced. If that is the figure they are using then it’s wrong.”
Fashola who was the keynote speaker urged Nigerian Universities to aid the students to advance the work of past researchers from where it was.
Also Speaking, Sanwo-Olu who was represented by his Special Adviser on Education, Mr Tokunbo Wahab assured LASU of the state’s support towards its research drive.
He urged LASU to proffer solutions through research towards addressing the six pillars of developmental agenda of his administration which he tagged: THEME representing a drive for the state and future generations.
The governor explained that research and innovation contribute significantly to the growth of business and enterprises, adding that Lagos is moving from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun said that the institution was committed to working with the government and private sector to develop solutions to the problems of Nigeria and the world at large.
According to him, “To this end, we seek to endow the LASU Research Grant Fund. The fund will be the incubator and facilitator for research in our university. We are today making our first research fair and that is why I say history is being made.
“Research remains the catalyst and veritable tool for national development. The present world is a knowledge-driven rather than natural resources-driven world, therefore, nations which can generate more knowledge are richer.”
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