Nigerian researchers have been charged to focus more on innovations and inventions that meet the needs of their immediate environment
Former Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP, Dr Umar Bindir, gave the charge at the maiden Senator Adefemi Kila annual colloquium in Abuja.
In a keynote address delivered at the event, Bindir said it is regrettable that there are many indigenous researches that are not tailored towards solving local problems.
Bindir, a former Secretary to the Adamawa State Government, also frowned at the lack of systematic integration of science and technology into the nation’s development strategy.
He said Nigeria is yet to fully harness the contributions of its scientific community, particularly in connecting the advancements to tangible solutions.
“There is the need to have evidence based policies that target exactly what is needed with accurate data
“We need to literally take those solutions and implement them as innovations, so that we can be able to start seeing Nigerian products and skills,’’ he said.
Bindir advocated strong collaboration between government, academia and industries to overcome the challenge.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the theme of the colloquium is, “Bridging Nigeria’s Infrastructural Gap: Financing, Innovation and Sustainable Policies.’’
He tasked Nigerian researchers and inventors to focus on addressing infrastructural deficit such as inadequate roads, railway networks, electricity shortages and unreliable water supply which had persisted for years.
NAN reports that the event was attended by a former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana who, respectively, praised Kila’s contributions to the engineering profession.
President of the Society of Engineers, NSE, Margaret Oguntala, represented by a former Vice President of NSE, Ali Rabiu, described Kila as an icon of Engineering, adding that his contributions have helped to shape the profession.
National Chairman of Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, NICE, Tokunbo Ajanaku, said Kila has practiced engineering for over 50 years, mentoring many young ones and helping to transform the landscape of engineering in Nigeria.
“We look forward to implementing all of the beautiful things that we have learnt at this colloquium, hoping that Nigeria will be better by the reason of this colloquium,’’ he said.
In a response, the celebrator thanked his family, friends and colleagues for organising the colloquium in his honour. NAN
