The outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun in Delta, Prof. Akaehomem Ibhadode, has called on the Federal Government to adequately fund the nation’s universities.

Ibhadode, who made the call at his valedictory press briefing on Monday in Effurun, said inadequate funding had hindered research works in FUPRE.

According to him, adequate funding of Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun, will enable it to accomplish its vision of being a specialised institution.

He said the institution was underfunded, pointing out that he was only able to raise the bar during his five years in the office.

“If FUPRE is to live up to the expectations of the founding fathers, Federal Government must rise above board to adequately fund the university.

“In every aspect of operations, the university needed fund to accomplish its goals, but paucity of funds marred our ambitious target at every turning.

“I sincerely plead with the Federal Government to endeavour to improve the funding of the university, if the vision of being a specialised university is to be accomplished,” Ibhadode said.

He said funding had been a major challenge to the Nigeria universities, adding that the development had hindered researches into critical areas of work.

“Today, research institutions across the world are busy with efforts to find solution to the COVID-19 pandemic, while our own universities are shut due to strike occasioned by poor funding.

“I pray that our government should urgently reverses the ugly trend,” he said.

Ibhadode urged the Federal Government to galvanise support for the institution through stakeholders’ participation to enable it to fulfil its mandates of being a specialised university.

He also urged the government agencies listed in the Establishment Act of the University to begin to take their responsibilities as enshrined in the Act.

“I may not have met the expectations of some, but by our records, we have been able to etch on the marble of history certain actions that will continue to count worthy anytime,” he said.

Ibhadode, however, appealed to all stakeholders in the institution to cooperate with the incoming administration to build on the

legacies his administration left behind.

Responding, the incoming Vice-Chancellor of FUPRE, Prof. Rim-Rukeh Akpofure, commended Ibhadode for the great feats he achieved during his tenure in the institution.

“Prof. Ibhadode is a man of great icon, an achiever,” he said. (NAN)