The Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering infrastructure (NASENI) Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna has emphasized the commitment of the Agency to lead the industrial revolution course of Nigeria.
Professor Haruna said this during the ground-breaking and foundation laying ceremony of NASENI’s new Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI) in Obudu by the Governor of Cross River State Senator Ben Ayade.
He said, this will be achieved through introduction of research and development of technology outcomes leading to fabrication of machines, equipment and technology need of the country to kickstart industrialization.
A statement signed by the Deputy Director, Information of NASENI, Mr. Olusegun Ayeoyenikan said, that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved six new Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institutes, one per geo-political zone of the country, in addition to six other Industrial Machinery and Equipment Development Institutes also located in various geo-political zones of the country.
The EVC remarked that the institute is a specialized one that research, develop, manufacture, and introduce mechanization of farming.
“Technology and internet of Things (IOT) are the basis, methods and instruments of modern farming beyond use of hoes and cutlass and other ancient practices. From increased yields leading to high farming income,to improve living conditions of practitioners, there is need to adapt new farming implements, process and introduction of appropriate mechanization.
“The level of improvement of the socio-economic life of the people is a direct consequent of their productivity or otherwise. These technology gaps are the purpose for which NASENI Agricultural Institute Obudu and other similar Institutes in Lafia, Mbutu Abom-Mbaise are expected to fill,” he said.
Prof Haruna commended Governor Ayade for his unflinching support for NASENI and his relentless efforts to revolutionize Agriculture in Cross River State.
The Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade while performing the Institute’s block-laying ceremony said that, “Agro industries are the foundation of Industrialization and without Agricultural development, such efforts will be hampered. In Crossriver State, we have already started industrial revolution,” he said.
Governor Ayade however commended NASENI for championing the course of churning out machines, equipment and agricultural tools that are required to run a functional Agric sector.
The President of the Wildlife Society of Nigeria Prof. Augustine Ogodo, thanked President Buhari for returning the country to the part of genuine industrialization with the establishment of 6 new AMEDI. He said the nation has no alternative than to return to Agricultural mechanization as the precursor for genuine industrialization.
“It is no longer wise for Nigeria to continue to sell its produce as raw materials to foreigners without value addition through processing of raw materials into intermediate products in order to bring higher income to Agricultural practitioners,” Prof Ogodo said.
About 500 NASENI Save 80 Efficient Cooking Stove were handed over to women in Cross Rriver State during the occasion.
The environment friendly Stove is essentially to save the environment from deforestation and desertification and also to alleviate the sufferings of women in the rural areas who could not afford the high costs of energy to cook.
