Prof. Charles Okigbo has urged Nigerian scholars to think outside the box and begin to harness the enormous grant opportunities and funds that are in abundance in Nigeria.
Prof. Okigbo made this statement at a Webinar hosted by the Jacksonites Professional Development Series (JPDS) powered by Knowledge Hub.
According to the Emeritus Professor of Mass Communication, Nigeria has a lot of funds that are in circulation but requires the ingenuity of smart scholars to tap into it and contribute in solving real-life problems in the Nigerian society.
He emphasized that grantors are only looking for diligent researchers who must be ready to account for whatever resources entrusted in them and at the same time be ready to deliver good results. He urged researchers to be strategic in approaching a grantor and be more realistic in their requests.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Dr. Marcel Mbamalu who is also an alumnus of University of Nigeria, Nsukka stressed that the exercise is very crucial in bridging the gap between the town and gown.
“It is much more important at a time that the Mass Communication curriculum is undergoing serious review especially with the unbundling. This programme couldn’t have come at a better time to align actions between the town and gown in solving societal problems”, he stated.
The chairperson of the JPDS steering committee, Prof. Chinedu Mba of the Agonquin College, Ottawa, Canada expressed her gratitude to the eminent resource persons, scholars, and practitioners who attended the Webinar.
She explained that JPDS is the brainchild of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Mass Communication Alumni. The association is dedicated towards the promotion of quality research and scholarship in Nigeria.
The research Webinar which attracted many participants across Nigeria, focused on “Qualitative Research Method”.
The keynote presenters were unanimous in stressing that this interesting research method is generally underutilized in research and stressed the need for scholars in Nigeria to exploit the knowledge base that academic exercise such as has been organized by the JPDS, in developing their competence and skills in qualitative research methods.
The previous series have handled topics on mixed-methods, action research, and qualitative research.
Other speakers at the Webinar include Dr. Bellarmine Ezumah, Murray State University, Kentucky, USA, Dr. Mustafa Malan of Bayero University, Kano, Dr. Raheemat Adeniran, Lagos State University, and Dr. Nuhu Diraso Gapsiso, of University of Maiduguri.