By Chinonyerem Igwe:
The National Agency for Sciences and Engineering Infrastructure an arm of Federal Ministry of Science and Technology has opened an ultra-modern Technology Orientation Centre (TOC) at its Headquarters in Idu Industrial area, in Abuja.
In his opening address, the Executive’s vice Chairman/Chief Executives of NASENI Engr. Prof. Muhammed Sani Haruna, disclosed that NASENI has for years meeting up its mandate that established the agency which include carrying out researches and development of machines equipment and other spare parts. He said the Agency with its nine (9) mono mandate development institutes and seven additional new ones at different level of gestation spread across the country its consistently providing cutting edge capacity for reverse engineering of equipment of machines and tools as support for the Medium and Small Scales Enterprises (SMES) as well as disseminating new and emerging technologies for progress of the country.
He opined that one of the key reasons for establishing NASENI was the recognitions of the interdependence of existing between Technological Achievement of any country and it socio-economic transformation and its sustainability.
Engr. Prof. Haruna believed that with commissioning of the TOC, by NASENI the wonderful edifices should be where science technology and innovations will assemble dialogue and share idea, research finding to determine the most suitable technology to use to move the country forward.
He further highlighted the benefits of the TOC to Nigerian to include serve as a hub for gathering, display and assessment of best brains.
According to Engr. Prof. Haruna, the edifice was built to provide entrepreneurs, academics researchers and investors with enabling environment for interactions, designs application and exhibition of advanced manufacturing technologies with their accompany products and other allied services. ‘’ it is a melting point for art, creating science, engineering, technology, and prosperity’’
He used the forum to request the FCT Minister. Muhammed Bello to resolve problem of non-issuance of Certificate of Occupancy for NASENI in Karshi, approve the repair of short span access road linking the side to railway line and providing NASENI with land for corporate Headquarters along airport road.
He further thanked the federal Ministry of science and technology especially the President Muhammed Buhari administration for giving them full support.
Also, addressing the gathering, the Hon. Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu said that the TOC will help entrepreneurs, researchers and innovators gain greater access to the necessary process that would fast forward commercialization of other inventions using indigenous technology “this will create jobs, wealth and reduce poverty and stimulate growth in the economy”, it will ginger research and development as well as drive the New Science, Technology and Innovation Roadmap (2017 – 2030) in order to diversify the economy.
The Hon. Minister mandated NASENI to collaborate with INEC for the production of solar powered electronic voting solution to be used by INEC in forth – coming general election in 2019. He congratulated the Executive Chairman of NASENI Prof. Sani Haruna for his laudable achievements within his short stay in office and promised to provide necessary support to NASENI whenever called upon to do so. Among dignity that graced the occasion were The Deputy Gov. of Nasarawa State, Eng. Silas, Emir of Lafia, who led the other traditional ruler of Nasarawa State Other head of other sister Agencies and the former chairmen of NASENI among who were Prof. Godwin Obumneme Ezekwe, Dr. Timothy Ifeanyi Obiaga and Prof. Oluwasegun Oyeleke Adewoye were honoured.
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