A Professor of Production and Operations Management at the Rivers State University (RSU), Professor Karibo Bagshaw has called on critical stakeholders such as the government, academia and industry to embrace preventive and predictive maintenance to maximize its benefits for societal wellbeing.
Prof. Bagshaw made this call on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 while delivering the 125th Inaugural Lecture of the university in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He explained that the concept of Production and Operations Management is not exclusive to engineers, plant managers and industrial workers but affects every facet of life.
He made a case for optimizing existing industrial infrastructure as against building new ones, challenging policy makers in the public and private sectors on the potential of prioritizing operational dynamics for stabilizing society.
“The role of the Government is to provide a predictable business environment. I recommend that specific, targeted tax credits for manufacturing firms while partnering with academia and bodies like the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria.”
The erudite Professor further beckoned on the RSU management to consider including Production and Operations Management in the institution’s curriculum, asserting that it serves as a guide to getting things done as at when due.
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi affirmed that the lecture with the theme: ‘Production and Operations Management: the Central Science for Societal Wellbeing’ is germane as society continues to be bedevilled by problems and challenges such as unavailability of goods and services.
“One of the problems in the society is unavailability of quality goods and services. We have problems like lack of electricity, amongst others challenges.”
“It is the responsibility of the university to proffer solutions to these societal problems.”
In an interview with Kristina Reports, Professor Bagshaw revealed that the problem with the country is the lack of capacity utilization and the absence of knowledge on these capacities, calling on the government to champion the cause of growing awareness in these areas.
“The government should identify the capacity and ensure that facilities work, ensure there’s efficient management and proper allocation of resources.”
He further advised that sentiments and personal biases should not be injected as the society has different categories, hence allocation of resources should be spread about according to these categories.
“Allocation of resources shouldn’t be based on who I know in the local government and who I don’t know. Resources must be allocated based on factors like population size and individuals in their different categories.”