BAUCHI – (Federal Ministry of Science & Technology Report) – The Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu (Dr) has charged the academic community and research institutes to ensure that research findings are channeled towards addressing prevailing societal problems and not just for career advancement. He made the appeal when he commissioned an upgraded chemical laboratory donated by PZ Cussons at the Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi at the weekend.
Ogbonnaya Onu praised the efforts of PZ Cussons in upgrading the chemical laboratory which would help obviate the need to transport research samples to other places, help upgrade manpower and reduce the trend of importing technology from abroad. He mentioned that the research findings could be commercialized through patenting which will create wealth and significantly reduce poverty in the country.
According to the Minister, Nigerians could be lifted out of poverty by nurturing business startups which would later grow in size and employ a lot of people. He further beckoned on the youths to brace up for the technological challenges ahead.
“I am therefore challenging our youths to pick up the gauntlet, as the future of our country depends on them. Nigeria has the potential to produce Nobel Laureates in Science and Technology since the country has already produced one in literature,” he remarked.
While speaking at the event, the Vice-chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Muhammadu Ahmad Abdulazeez said that the upgraded chemical laboratory has put the school’s Engineering Department on the pedestal of cutting-edge research in minerals. He further expressed optimism that the discovery of hydro-carbons in Bauchi State would be of immense benefits to the use of the laboratory, inviting the private sector to help in funding more projects.
