NAN-H-29
Academy
By Chiazo Ogbolu
Lagos, Feb. 17, 2017 (NAN) The Nigeria Academy of Science (NAS) has implored the Federal Government to implement the set goals of the National Research Innovation Council (NRIC) as outlined in the policy objectives of the council.
The President of NAS, Prof. Mosto Onuoha, made the call in an interview with a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
According to Onuoha, implementing the policy objectives will engender the funding of research and scientific findings in the country.
NRIC was established 30 years ago with a goal to finding ways of moving Nigeria forward using Science, Technology and Innovations.
The NRIC, which has 15 ministers as members, provides incentives for researchers and innovators from both the public and private sectors.
Last year, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, met with members of the council to set standards on how to implement the set goals of the council.
According to Onuoha, university teachers in the country are currently funding researches from their pockets, a development, he said, would make the country not to grow.
The president said the academy was prepared to assist government to harness the human resource in the country.
“We have been around for over 40 years and our impact has not been felt in the country and this is due to the fact that government has not accorded us relevance.
“In other climes, academies of science contribute to solving scientific problems of their countries but here in Nigeria, we are not given that opportunity.
“The other way the academy can contribute to the development of the country is when it is chartered, hence, the passing of the Nigeria Academy of Science Bill into law.”
Onuoha said the academy could also assist government in the production of science and technology journals. (NAN)
CAN/GOM/SN
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Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Silas Nwoha