NAN-H-70
Institute
Yola, Oct. 24, 2016 (NAN) Dr Gloria Elemo, the Director-General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Oshodi, Lagos, says the institution has trained no fewer than 500,000 techno- entrepreneurs.
Elemo made this known on Monday at the opening of a five-day techno- entrepreneurship training programme for North-East Zone in Yola.
The FIIRO boss said that the institute was established in 1957 to promote rapid industrialisation of the national economy through promotion and development of micro, small and medium enterprises.
FIIRO, he added, had been involved in other entrepreneurship development programmes since its technology transfer programme in 1986.
She explained that graduates of the institute had established profitable enterprises across the country and created millions of jobs as well as boosting the nation’s economy.
Elemo also said the institute had fabricated many machines that could be used in processing local raw materials and value addition.
She also said that the institute had developed many indigenous technologies in its 59 years of existence.
“In South-South, South-East and South- West, the institute has developed technology for the training and processing of high quality cassava flour and fruit juice.
“In North-Central, North-West and North-East, the centre has fabricated technologies on cassava processing, instant pounded Yam Flour, Kunu and Zobo drink production and preservation.
“Others, are tomato and fish smoking processing technologies,’’ she said.
She, however, expressed worry that in spite of the concerted efforts by federal and state governments to address unemployment, the situation remained alarming.
The FIIRO boss called on the government to encourage youths and women to develop entrepreneurial culture as a way of finding permanent solution to unemployment in the country. (NAN)
AMA/DUA/OJO
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(Edited by Dada Ahmed/Mufutau Ojo)