By Atabor Julius On Apr 12, 2023
The Federal University Lokoja in collaboration with the family of Engineer Makoju has launched memorial lecture series to immortalize the legacy of late Engineer Joseph Oyeyani Makoju for his selfless service to humanity.
The Vice Chancellor of FUL, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, while unveiling the lecture series on Tuesday, inside the conference Hall of the University, said that the late sage contributed immensely to the advancement of the nation.
The VC noted that Engineer Makoju uses the knowledge of science and technology to impact positively on every position he held throughout his lifetime.
He added that the university’s partnership with the Makoju Foundation for Development, Leadership and Technology, which was unveiled on the 16th of July, 2023 gave birth to the institution of this memorial lecture which shall hold annually.
The erudite professor of History said the aim of the lecture series is to serve as a platform where eminent scholars and industry players will converge to proffer solutions to leadership deficit and power problems facing the country.
He identified poor leadership as the impediment to the growth of the country, stressing that the memorial lecture series which is aimed at addressing the problems from an intellectual angle in honour of Engineer Joseph Oyeyani Makoju is not out of place in the University’s efforts to fulfill her town and gown obligation
Akinwumi explained that in light of his immense contribution to the power sector the Senate carefully selected the topic of the lecture, “Challenges of Electric Power Sector Reforms in Nigeria, the way forward”.
He said the poor power sector has contributed to the dearth of development in the nation’s history, adding that Makoju’s contribution to the sector can not be overemphasized.
“There is no doubt that the power sector stunted the nation’s growth. Late Engineer Joseph Oyeyani Makoju’s passion for power reforms in Nigeria was second to none. He dedicated his entire life to power generation and reformation in Nigeria.
“It is the determination of the university to partner with the Joseph Makoju Foundation for development, leadership and Technology to contribute to solving leadership development and power problems in the country,” the VC noted.
In his paper titled: “Challenges of Electric power sector reforms in Nigeria, The way forward”, the Guest Speaker, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali said the late Makoju combined culture, tradition and customs of Ebira ethnic nationality to sharpen his character and commitment to his vocation and other assignments he has held.
He praised Ebira ethnic group as people with a propensity for excellence and forthrightness, saying it is in that spirit that Makoju excelled in academics that catapult his humble beginning to a man that will later play important role in the transformation agenda in the power sector.
He said the name Engineer Joseph Makoju will continue to ring bells in the power sector because he did prepare himself for service, describing him as one of the purest souls in this generation and urge the younger ones to emulate his footsteps.
He disclosed that Engineer Makoju was loaned from a private sector to help resolve the power problems, and was able to increase power generation from 1500 to 4500 megawatts at the time he left his appointment
He lamented that the poor power situation has been responsible for the underdevelopment of the country, saying the effort of Engineer Makoju in the sector was a reference point as the energy generation remained the same as he left it.
He said the Elder Sage was an embodiment of wisdom and knowledge as he established the West African power project to optimize the over 600 trillion gas reserves in the country that will serve the entire West Africa countries.
He called on the government to show more commitment to the power sector as it is the bedrock of development and urge the President-elect to take responsibility for the sector with the appointment of the right personnel to the sector.
He decried the energy mix and liquidity crises that have defeated the essence of the privatization of the sector.
Speaking on the quality of her father, Dr.Ovayoza Adeleye described him as a man too nice for a fault, saying he was a disciplinarian laden with empathy and love while dealing with the family and those who come his way.
She prayed to God for the repose of his soul, promising that the legacy of giving to humanity which he started through the award of scholarships and training of widows and the vulnerable will be sustained.
Recall that Engineer Makoju born on the 13th July 1948 died on the 11th April 2022, and had served as a special adviser to two former administrations, former MD PHCN, Dangote Cement and many others.