NAN-H -36
Technology
By Tukur Muntari
Kano, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) An inventor, Mr Ilyas Nazifi, who fabricated rice parboiling, husking and drying machines in Kano, says he wants a partnership with the Federal Government to enable him mass-produce the machines.
Nazifi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Monday that the partnership would propel economic growth through improvement in local technology.
According to him it will also encourage more innovative youths to fast-track indigenous technological development.
The inventor had so far fabricated 12 rice processing machines of lower capacities to process 68 metric tonnes of rice daily.
Nazifi, a graduate of chemical engineering from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria also holds a Masters Degree in Refinery Design and Operation from the University of Manchester, U.K.
“If government can empower people like me, we can train a lot of youths on rice processing in addition to improving our local technology.”
According to him, there are many young and vibrant Nigerians who can be assisted with loans to improve their businesses to realise their dreams.
He said his decision to concentrate on fabrication of rice processing machines was aimed at reducing the challenges faced in processing the commodity.
He called on rice farmers in Kano and other neighbouring states to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the government to ensure massive production of the commodity.
“Rice farmers have a big challenge because the commodity has become a staple in many homes.”
He also urged state and local governments, particularly where the crop is produced in commercial quantity to patronise his company.
“This will go a long way in providing job opportunities to many unemployed persons in the state and the country at large.
Nazifi also called on youths to rise to the current economic challenges as “the recession is an opportunity for them to prosper’’. (NAN)
MTM//AOM/SN
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(Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed, controlled by Silas Nwoha)