As, the Nation marks its 51st?? anniversary, experts in the Science and Technology sector said the sector has recorded some achievements, though need to tackle some challenges.? CHINYERE AMALU examines reports.
Though celebrated in a low key, Nigeria’s 51st year anniversary kicked off on 1st October 2011, with accustomed praises and attacks on its journey so far.
Between the last one year and now, particularly,? many are of the opinion that not much has been achieved, while some pointed to a horde of things that the Good Luck administration has done within this period, in some sectors of the economy.
Those who share the first opinion, easily point to the current state of insecurity occasioned by incessant bomb blasts, ethno-religious killings, kidnappings among others; while those who share the second, said, there is stability in democracy and the economy has never been this? promising.
But what do people think about the administration’s handling of science and technology sector, which is supposed to be the pivot for the development of the modern economy.
Stakeholders in science and technology sector said though the sector has been faced with many challenges which include,? inadequate funding, lack of consistent leadership, management capability, over-lapping functions among the agencies, inability to transfer research results into finished products, commercialisation of research results among other challenges, the ministry of science and technology has made some remarkable achievements and breakthroughs.
For instance, the ministry had through its parastatals and agencies developed different local industrial machines, tools, products, drugs and food through various means of scientific applications. It has also joined the rest of the world in the adoption of biotechnology, a modern technology commonly used in the 21st centuries for improved yields of agricultural products and other sectors of the economy, including health, education, security etc.
There are over 100 research products that has been manufactured and produced by the agencies, with many of them currently undergoing commercialistaion through collaborations with the private sectors.
One of the major breakthroughs of the ministry, within the last one year, they argued, is the passage of Bio-safety Bill into law by the 6th National Assembly, which is awaiting the accent of President Goodluck Jonathan, and the adoption of the National Science Technology and Innovation Policy by the National Council on Science and Technology, also awaiting the approval of the Federal Executive Council.
The permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr. Dere Awosika told LEADERSHIP, that the ministry has a lot to celebrate, adding that “The science and technology sector has achieved a lot. You can see today, that without technology, food security, nutrition security is a far cry. We are collaborating and we have done a lot. Most of our institute, the biotech institute, the seed multiplication institute, is working. In the science field, we are working to ensure that we have standard scientific equipments, both at the primary, secondary and tertiary level.”
While explaining that the ministry succeeded in the building and road sector, through one of the parastatals in the ministry, the Nigeria Building? and Road Research and Development Institute (NIBRRI), Dr. Awosika said the agency has succeeded in putting in place materials through science and technology that can provide low income houses, befitting houses for Nigerians at a rate that can be affordable, between the cost of N1.1million not up to 3 million.”
“That is a breakthrough,” she said and added, “in the National Agency for Science, Engineering and Infrastructure (NASENI), we have up to date research facilities.”
Awosika noted that there is also a breakthrough in water purification using technology applications, “where everybody can take water and drink pure water that is free from pollution and other deadly materials.”
In Natural Medicine, she said, a lot has been done. “It is amazing what have been achieved in the science sector and now it is taking it out for utilization by the private sector.” Only recently, according to the permanent secretary, the Nigeria Research and Chemical Technology (NARICT) is partnering with Notore Chemical Industries Limited? to get fertilizer which is already in operation in Kastina.
“It is going to be in six other states. NOTORI is the largest fertilizer company in sub-Saharan Africa and has also come to partner with us in the organic fertilizer. So research is paying off as we connect to the private sector? and in agriculture, biotechnology application is making waves and we are proud to say, the sector has a lot to celebrate,” stated Dr. Awosika.
Prof. Peter Onwualu, the director-general of Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC), said that, “We are celebrating a lot within the period, Nigeria has moved on despite all the challenges. First of all, a number of institutions have been established and those institutions have come up with a number of results which is helping in the national development, especially in science and technology sector.”
But for the director-general of the National Center for Technology Management (NACETEM), Dr. Willie Siyanbola, though there are things to celebrate between last year and this year, Mr. President needed to sign the National Policy on Science Technology and Innovation (STI) which according to him would move the nation’s innovation system to the next level.
He noted that, at the management level, President Goodluck Jonathan is the chairman of the apex body of National Research and Innovation Council with some selected cabinet ministers as a member. “So the new policy cannot function without Mr. President. It is his own vision to transformation.”
The funding arrangement according to Dr. Siyanbola, is different because it includes contributions from all trust funds existing in the country, like PTDF, ETF, RMRDC etc.
“all the existing trust funds must make contribution towards implementation of the new policy. It is very clear that, it is only the federal government that is supporting research and development in the country.
“This is wrong. It is never done in any country, the private, public, individual and groups should support the research and development in Nigeria for the sector to move forward. This is what we should reflect on as we celebrate the 51st anniversary” he said.
Other experts in the sector told LEADERSHIP that Nigeria has made tremendous achievements in the space programme, stating that between 2010 till date, the nation has successfully? launched? in the orbit two? high earth resolution satellites, ( “NigeriaSat-2 and X) which is recognized anywhere in the world. “This is a breakthrough that should be celebrated. In the next few months, hopefully, we will launch another satellite which would cut down the communication tariff in the country, NigComSat-1R. We have not done badly, even with the crisis rocking the country,” said an executive at one of the agencies, who pleaded not to be named.
LEADERSHIP also carried an opinion poll to ascertain the perception of other Nigerians, including students, workers, among others concerning science and technology development so far, and what they expected government to achieve before the next celebration.?
Said, Onyema Uche, an undergraduate in the Physics department of the University of Abuja, “I can tell you that the worst hit in this crisis of underdevelopment is the universities.? There is nothing in our laboratories, the library is outdated, lecturers are frequently on strike to press home for better academic environment, how can science and technology develop in a state like this?” he queried.? He added, “Government needs to understand that the university requires a lot to develop, and that much of the development in the developed world is started from research at the university. As God will have it, our president is a scientist; he holds a PhD and was once a lecturer. That’s why we can’t understand all that’s happening to the sector now.”
For Onwuka Israel, a staff at the ministry of Science and Technology, “Rome was not built in a day. The rot in the system today has been there, even before this administration took over. We would be asking too much if we want all this to be solved in a day. All we require is to continue to support the government, and think of coming up with private initiatives that can support it.”
Maryann Okoro said, “Though science and Technology is important, at the moment, we can only pray for this country, not to expect too much from this government, so that we don’t get surprised at the end.”
Nigeria is 51, and for the nation to celebrate a worthy 52nd anniversary, all hands must be on deck. Of course, no country can develop without the efforts and commitment of fellow country men and women. Nigeria deserves citizens with unbreakable patriotism?? even in the face of near-hopelessness to push the country forward.
The present crop of leaders has the greatest challenge in this task.? It is expected that federal, state, local, public and private companies should collaborate to develop Nigeria and make it an enviable nation, especially in area of science, technology and innovation, which has proved to be the key to any industrialised economy, which Nigeria is aspiring to belong in the next five years.
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