The Rector, Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, Dr Olufunke Akinkurolere, has warned that Nigeria should reduce over-dependence on oil and non-renewable resources.
Akinkurolere spoke at the first International Conference organised by the polytechnic in Igbesa on Friday.
The rector said that the crude oil depended upon by Nigeria might dry up one day or become useless soon.
According to her, crude oil drilling or extraction is like mining and whatever is being mined will be exhausted one day.
She explained that many developed nations were now finding alternative sources of energy to power cars and generate electricity.
The theme of the conference is ‘Harnessing Technical, Entrepreneurial, And Vocational Education for Sustainable Economic Development’.
She said that the idea of sustainable development was conceived in the early 1970s when the need was felt to preserve the natural resources as they were depleting at a faster rate.
Prior to that time, she recalled that development was unsustainable as people started to tamper with the ecosystem.
Akinkurolere said: “In the olden days, you can just go to the bush and cut down trees. We were not even mindful of the need to plant new ones.
“But now, it has dawn on us that if we don’t want to get to a stage where there will no more be trees in the forest, we have to look for a way out.
“That is why this issue of sustainability started coming in. Whatever you are doing today, you have to take cognisance of tomorrow. The green economy and green environment being talked about are anchored on sustainability.
“Today in our country, we have to start looking away from petroleum because after a while, the petrol will finish.
“It’s like you’re mining something; it’s not something that is everlasting. Even if the oil does not finish, a lot of countries are already developing alternative sources of energy.
“We now use solar without any need for power generators. That will save the environment because of no pollution from diesel.
