The Nigerian Government has approved a National Policy on welding and welding related fields and its urgent implementation in an effort to fast track industrialization and sustainable development in the country.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora, revealed this at the North-West zonal dialogue between government and stakeholders in the Science, Technology and Innovation ecosystem on the Establishment and Implementation of Technology and Innovation Centres (TICs) in Kano state, North West Nigeria.
The Minister who was represented by the Director, Chemical Technology Department and the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister, Mr. MEJ Bassey, said the Policy will also arrest the situation of Nigerians outsourcing welding jobs due to the emphasis placed on foreign welding certification.
In a statement made available by the ministry’s deputy director of press and public relations, signed by Josephine Ademu, the Minister stated that the recently approved policy is in line with the implementation of the Presidential Executive Order NO.5 that is directed towards boosting local content.
Dr. Mamora enjoined the participants to identify other important areas for effective regulation, credible certification and accreditation to achieve the country’s goal.
The Minister noted that the dialogues can help Nigeria develop effective and sustainable strategic framework for wealth and job creation, as well as the prosperity of the citizens.
Benefits of the Innovation centre
According to Dr Mamora, some of the benefits of the innovation centre include “Provision of an enabling environment for Emergence of Tech Giants, Increase in performance of Researchers, Peer Review of Researchers for effectiveness, Learning of new approaches to research through interaction, increase in Patents, Platform for presentation of results of Reverse Engineering, Innovative discoveries and Inventions, Emergence of commercial Research and Development Companies, improved Research Funding through Grants from business men and Industrialist.
Others include “Provision of Venture Capital from Commercial Banks, improved interaction amongst Scientists in Nigeria, Motivation for more Nigerians to go into Research and Development (R&D) activities including Youth and Women, Creation of better visibility for Nigerian Researchers at Local and International Levels, Effective Executive Monitoring and Evaluation of Research activities in Nigeria for better direction of Nigerian Economy”. he said.
The National Coordinator, Strategy Implementation Task Office for Presidential Executive Order NO.5, Engr. Ibiam Oguejiofor, admonished the participants to effectively promote the implementation of the Executive Order in their various organizations and states within the zone.
He further stated that the difference between developing and developed countries is the application of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), adding that proper and deliberate use of STI will fast track Development and industrialization in the Country.
The permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr. Binta Umar Bala, who represented the Commissioner, reiterated the commitment of Kano State to partner with the Federal government in the promotion of local content using Executive Order NO.5.
“Kano State government has already taken the lead by establishing 16 incubation centres for capacity building of unemployed youths in indigenous skills in the State”, she said.
The Rector, Kano State polytechnic, Dr. Kabiru Bello Dungurawa, who commended the initiative of the Nigerian government also indicated the willingness of Kano State polytechnic to partner with the Ministry in Science, Technology and Innovation promotion.
