Technology
By Constance Imasuen
Abuja, May 17, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd. and the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen technological innovations in the country.
The signing of the MoU was disclosed in a statement signed by NIGCOMSAT Head of Public Affairs Department , Mr Adamu Idris on Thursday in Abuja.
Idris said the MoU was to ensure that all technological products were duly registered in Nigeria and at the international level before they reached the market following several breakthroughs the country had achieved in technological innovations.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT Ltd, Mrs Abimbola Alale said the collaboration was aimed at ensuring that the two government agencies reached out to customers with their products.
Alale said that all technology innovations should be registered through the relevant regulatory bodies.
She said that if scientific research and technological products were duly registered, the country could claim ownership of such products and make money from it.
She said that FUT Minna, had distinguished itself in research innovations having won many grants and recognitions at the global and national levels.
Alale said that NIGCOMSAT products and services like Staff Attendance and ControlSystem (SAACS), ‘Internet of Things’, Internet Services, e-voting, are very much available to impact positively on the people.
She said this would place the country at par with other technology driven economy, emphasising that the collaboration with FUT Minna would further be opened to the academic community.
Responding, Prof. Bala Abdullahi, the Vice Chancellor of FUT, Minna expressed delight on the collaboration between his institution and NIGCOMSAT, saying “the institution is doing its best to improve the quality of education in the country.’’
Abdullahi also noted that the MoU was an opportunity for the two government agencies to leverage on what they were doing, saying that NIGCOMSAT was the right outlet to market research products.
On his part, Mr Kolawole Raji, the Executive Director, Technical Services, NIGCOMSAT said the MoU would impact positively on the society .
Raji urged all parties to fully implement the terms and letters to encourage home grown technology in line with Executive Order 003-005.
Mr Samson Osagie, the Executive Director, Marketing and Business Development, NIGCOMSAT urged the two agencies to be agents of change and commended those who proposed federal universities of technologies all over the country.
One of the highlights of the MoU is the establishment of an African Centre of Excellence to promote academic exchange of post graduates between the two organisations. (NAN)
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Edited by Grace Yussuf