NANFeatures/Vol.11/No.64/2017 (April 21)
Boosting national economy via made in Nigeria goods
A News Analysis by Gabriel Agbeja, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Participants at the first technology and innovation Expo 2017 in Abuja note that the exhibition suggested numerous methods of boosting the national economy by encouraging the patronage of made in Nigeria goods.
Organised by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology from April 3 to April 7, the event served as an eye-opener in that regard to various participants, inventors, innovators, research institutions, universities and polytechnics.
The aims of the event include the need to be informed that challenges in the foreign exchange market can be tackled if the country can export enough goods and services.
Entitled “Science, Technology and Innovation for Nigeria’s economic diversification’’, participants observed that the event taught the idea of commercialising research and development results, inventions and innovations of Nigerians to strengthen local production of goods and services.
President Muhammadu Buhari said at the opening of the event that the Federal Government would put science and technology on the front burner of its development agenda to effectively diversify the economy.
He said that Federal Government would intensify effort toward diversifying national economy by using Science and Information Technology (STI) to harness the country’s abundant natural resources.
The president also said this would be done through the improvement of locally made products to meet international standard.
“It is pertinent to underscore that the theme adopted for this expo; “Science Technology and Innovation for Nigeria’s Economic Diversification’’, is not only timely but very apt.
“As we all aware, reliance on fossil fuel is becoming less fashionable by the day due to its negative effect on the environment.
“With the growth of Nigeria’s economy tied to oil, it stands to reason that unless we embrace STI and employ it for economic development, our country may not fully attain its economic potential.
“It is my hope that the outcome of this expo will provide the needed platform for the advancement of science and technology in the country with the intent to industrialise and revolutionise the national economy,’’ he said.
Buhari said that the forum would provide a platform for interaction among researchers, research institutes, inventors, innovators and other brilliant minds with the aim of bolstering the science and technology sector.
Restating the Federal Government’s promise, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice, Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, said the Senate would give legislative support to the renewed commitment of Federal Government by adopting STI as a tool for industrial and economic development.
“Appropriate investment in STI will considerably raise the bar of Nigeria’s income per capital for millions through the creation of jobs and drive millions of Nigerians from poverty to prosperity.
“Utterly satisfactory and commendable is the renewed commitment of the Federal Government to inject appropriate investment into STI as announced by the president at the inaugural meeting with the National Research and Innovation Council,’’ he said.
Similarly, Mrs Beni Lar, the Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology said no nation had ever recorded breakthrough in industrialisation without inducing STI as part of its national strategy for economic growth and development.
“Therefore, it is imperative to mainstream STI in our national economic policy as the experience of industrialised nations has shown positive correlation between investment in STI and income per capita.
Lar said the National Assembly was mindful of the problems the ministry was facing in the performance of its statutory role.
In the same vein, Malam Muhammad Bello, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said the territory would make technology more participatory through incubation programmes in different areas of the territory to improve value chain in agriculture.
“The Abuja Technology Village is our great initiative and we have also embraced the strategy of infusing STI development in our educational system.
“We have also, over the years, provided a platform similar to this known as the FCT Science and Technology that will hold soon,’’ he said.
Assessing the performance of the expo, Prof. Peter Azikiwe, the Chairman of Assessment Sub-committee, said various participants displayed 562 projects.
At the end of the exhibition, the Nigerian Air Force NAF took first position, Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NIBRRI) took second position while Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) took third position.
“NAF exhibited aircraft management technology- unmanned, aerial vehicle, engine compression washing machine, aircraft hydraulic, tyre removal equipment and bomb loading equipment; NIBBRI exhibited movable house while RMRDC exhibited brake pad for vehicle,’’ he said.
He said University of Nigeria, Nsukka, came first in category of tertiary institutions followed by Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, Katsina while Covenant University, Ota, took third position.
“UNN exhibited mimosa green renewable energy cell, Hassan Usman Katstina Polytechnic exhibited measurement and prediction of compressor strength of concrete and Covenant University exhibited a mini-bus vehicle,’’ he said.
He also said that Regina Pacis College, Abuja, came first in category of Junior Engineers, Technicians and Scientists.
Participants at the end of the expo, therefore, urged Nigerians to buy locally made products to create more local job opportunities and support the national economy.(NANFeatures)
**If used, please credit the writer as well as News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)