The Road to Technology: Nigeria Chapter Distinguished personalities, among them Prof T. Isoun, Honourable Minister in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology; the Permanent Secretary of Science and Technology, Dr C.J.G. Orjioke; Engineer O.Oluwu, Dr I. Nnadi; Alhaji (Dr) Abubakar Abdullahi, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Raw Materials Research and Development Council; and staff of key government ministries and parastatals, non-governmental institutions and international bodies graced the occasion to mark the 2003 Scientific Revival Day in Africa in Abuja, Nigeria.In his welcoming address, Dr Michael Madukwe, the National Coordinator of the ATPS Nigerian Chapter, expressed the need for ATPS and legislators to work closely in addressing science and technology policy making issues. Members of the press were also invited in a bid to help them revive the thirst for increased coverage of science and technology issues through their respective media. The National Coordinator revealed that the chapter intends to recognize media entities that devote time and space for science and technology issues.Madukwe invited members of the organized private sector to network with ATPS because they are the engine of change that will drive science and technology to the 21st Century and also hold greater prospects for developing the sector. Dr Madukwe expressed his concern about educational institutions that are producing manpower that are facing difficulties in placement in the labour market. He revealed that ATPS is willing to support efforts aimed at synchronizing existing science and technology curricula with the demands of the job market.The National Coordinator recognized that the process of science and technology policy making is a difficult and challenging task. However, he encouraged that in facing the challenge squarely, ATPS would be able to create a meaningful impact through building networks between persons and agencies that have responsibility and interest in science and technology issues. Elaborating on possible activities for networking, Madukwe singled out training, round-table talks, grants for research on practical science and technology policy issues, and publication of research findings tailored to meet Africa's peculiar circumstances as promising areas. "Through networking, capabilities available in one agency or country could be used to improve those of others, and indeed, the problems of science and technology are seen from a holistic perspective and handled as such," he explained.Madukwe informed the meeting that the chapter is in different stages of collaboration with the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) on synchronizing the National Biotechnology Policy (NBP) with the National Biotechnology Agency (NBA). "We have just concluded a critical examination of the National Policy on Small and Medium Enterprises and in the next few months, an ATPS and the National Agency for Science and Technology and Engineering Infrastructure stakeholders' forum will take place," added Madukwe.He also talked of the chapter's intention to hold round-table discussions on the structure and funding of agricultural technology and transfer with a view to sending a draft bill to the National Assembly. He invited the World Bank, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria to partner with the chapter members in the initiative.Elsewhere, the Nigerian Tribune carried an article on science and technology as one of the activities to commemorate the day. There should therefore be a symbiotic relationship between the two. The manufacturing industries need to assist the institutions with funds and other logistics while tertiary institutions should also carry out studies on immediate problems confronting the identify the problem facing the industry and take it up as final year project. The result of the breakthrough should be sent to the industries as part of their benefits.The National Education Policy should be very well implemented. The ratio (60:40) of intake into science and engineering disciplines and other major disciplines as contained in Education Policy should be strictly implemented. This will increase the number of science and ATPS has been organizing training, workshops and seminars, which further enrich the knowledge of both new and old members about the recent development sin the field of S&T in addition to this, the ATPS distributes its publications to the stakeholders in S&T arena, with the aim of sensitizing them, and also encourages young researchers to undertake projects that are substantially funded. Plans are being made to further strengthen ATPS so that the objectives of uplifting the regions economy to greater heights through S&T will be realized. Alamu is a member of Nigeria chapter of the African Technology Policy Studies. |
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