‘Innovators, inventors, others, key drivers to Nigeria’s economic prosperity’

Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) Dr. DanAzumi Mohammed Ibrahim has indicated that innovators, inventors, and researchers are the key drivers to Nigeria’s economic prosperity.

He said the development of the country rests on every Nigerian irrespective of tribe and language as he urged them not to be under any illusion that somebody from another country would come and develop their country for them.

Ibrahim disclosed this at a one-day Stakeholders Forum on Promotion and Commercialisation of Research &Development Results, themed “Promoting Indigenous Inventions and Innovations for Economic Diversification and Sustainable Growth” organized by NOTAP on Tuesday in Abuja.

The DG added that the aim of the programme is to provide opportunity for indigenous innovators and inventors to interact with one another, share experiences, and where possible showcase some of their innovations for Nigerians to appreciate.

He maintained that the demarcation between developed and developing nations is the ability of the developed nations to spend heavily on research which he said make them very vibrant resulting in the development of technologies to improve the quality of life of their citizens.

He said: “It is an opportunity for us as NOTAP to continue on our struggle to see how our innovations and inventions will eventually translate into products and services and that is what in our strong belief would catapult Nigeria into economic prosperity.

“Nigerian innovators and inventors now have a platform, they have come together, they have formed an association and I am happy to say that NOTAP would continue to give them the necessary assistance to realize their dreams.

“We should appreciate by the development of this country squarely rest on us all Nigerians; it should not be under any illusion that somebody from another sphere or somebody from another country will come and develop our own country.

“So, it squarely rests on us, we have responsibilities and since it is technology that is ruling the world now, our inventors, innovators, and researchers must be encouraged because these are the drivers of the economy, these are the drivers of the businesses, these are the drivers that will move our country to economic prosperity.

“NOTAP decides to gather them and also give some kind of training or workshop and make a few paper presentations that are key in translating research and development into products and services.

Bauchi Gov commissions environmental science laboratory

From Ali Sara, Bauchi

For a cleaner Bauchi state, Governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir has commissioned an Environmental Science Laboratory for testing of soil, plants, water and seedlings.

Commissioning the laboratory at BASEPA premises on Monday, Governor Muhammed directed BASEPA to utilised the laboratory maximally to the benefit of the people of the state, saying the equipment will highlight both existing and anticipated environmental problems across the 20 local government areas of the state.

According to him, it will also identify vulnerable groups, measure the magnitude of the problems, provide solutions in accordance with the best management practice and provide cost estimate for implementation of the proffered solutions.

“The environmental science laboratory we are commissioning today will serve as one-stop solution center for analysing and sample safe custody of samples gathered from the environmental scan”, the governor said.

“Conventionally, it is indeed apparent, the most alarming and worrisome environmental challenges confronting us are attributable to the negative attitude, especially at community levels”, he further explained.

Governor Bala said, in line with the foregoing, government is formulating favourable policies that will clearly outline and inform the citizens of the state about their roles and responsibilities in ensuring environmental cleanliness.

“The policies are not initiated to inconvenience any one. However, we deemed it necessary to involved any one of us to maximally contribute in the journey towards ensuing sustainable development”, the governor noted.

He said that the modern environmental science facility will serve as a reference centre for testing the quality of core environmental components which include water, soil and plants.

The governor who expressed delight over the feat said, ” this is a platform for enriching lives in the context of a well-protected environment hence, the aspiration of every progressing society”.

Bala who said his administration inherited unwholesome environment from the previous government, noted that so far, the state government has recorded gigantic improvement in waste management through construction of modern and durable waste collection centres.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Hamisu Muazu Shira who described the environmental science laboratory as the first of its kind in the state, assured Governor Bala Mohammed of the total support of the Ministry for effective implementation of his policies and programmes in the sector.

He said that the state government has released the sum of N28m for the construction of modern waste collection centers in the state.

Onu assures of FG commitment to nanotechnology research, development in Nigeria

*Says ministry will support establishment of nano centre at Lautech

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has assured the university community of Federal Government’s (FG) commitment to nanotechnology research and development in Nigeria.

Onu gave the assurance at the 4th annual workshop/conference on Nanotechnology organised by Lautech Nanotechnology Research Group (NANO+), where he appreciated the interface between the university community and the ministry.
He, therefore, reiterated the ministry’s support for the establishment of a centre of excellence in nanotechnology at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (Lautech).
According to Onu, for Nigeria to fast track development of the economy and her people, there must be synergy between the universities, governmental agencies and the industry.
He stated that the theme of the conference ‘Human Existence and Resource Utilization: Extending the Frontiers through Nanotechnology’ is apt and appropriately chosen to underscore the challenges facing mankind, and the need to deploy innovative solutions.
“Nanotechnology, as an innovative technology of 21st century has the potentials to solve the problems of energy crisis, water and sanitation, environmental degradation, security threat, climate change, food security and safety, and healthcare.
“It is the technology of the future that would open new vistas of knowledge-based economy, developments in robotics and autonomous systems; value-addition to existing processes,innovative products and services,” said Onu, who was represented by Mfon Bassey, the director of chemical technology, federal ministry of science and technology.
Professor of Microbiology and head, NANO+ Group, Agbaje Lateef, in a communique issued at the end of the conference said
Nanotechnology must be embraced by all as a veritable tool in achieving the United Nation, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).
The group also posited that researchers in nanotechnology must embrace innovative ideas, product development and commercialization at ensuring that the citizenry and the society benefits from their investigations.
According to Nano+ Group, researchers in the field of nanotechnology should continue to engage in collaboration among themselves and established scholars for cross-fertilization of ideas, and establishing relationship that can foster developments in the field of nanotechnology for the country.