Stakeholders Urged to Support NASENI’s Innovations

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) workshop participants have urged pertinent public and private sector stakeholders to support the agency’s innovations and products.

This is stated in a communiqué jointly released in Abuja on Thursday by the Workshop Organising Committee and the Communiqué Draughting Committee.

Mr Chima Akwaja, Chairman of the Workshop Organising Committee and Deputy Director of NASENI’s Information Department, and Mr Emmanuel Ozoemena, Facilitator/Coordinator.

Ramatullah Mahmoud, a media representative, and Idowu Bakare, the CEO of Fort Realm Global, were also in attendance.

The participants, who included online media partners and staff writers, demanded assistance so they could take the lead in maximising the visibility of science and innovation in Nigeria.

They suggested that NASENI, led by Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) Khalil Halilu, keep increasing the use of state-of-the-art information distribution technologies.

They claim that these tools, which include digital media platforms, among others, are used to raise public awareness and generate more coverage for players in the innovation ecosystem.

“It was also suggested that a NASENI Science and Innovation Media Working Group should be established as a public-private initiative.

“The overarching objective of such establishment would be to advance promotion of science, technology and innovation in Nigeria through increasing public awareness on innovations and products from the 12 development institutes of the agency.’’

The communiqué stated that the proposed working group would be tasked with the design and deployment of a framework to guide the “Science and Innovation Media Network.”

“Accordingly, the network would be dedicated to promoting the philosophy of infinite possibilities by aligning media focus on science and innovation, as well as opportunities that abound in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.

“Media practitioners should commit themselves towards highlighting benefits of science and innovation as veritable pathway to the industrialisation of Nigeria’s economy, achieving sustainable and inclusive growth.’’

The participants also recommended that a Community of Practice (COP) should be established to deepen partnership, information sharing, and building a platform aimed at promoting media agendas for science, technology, and innovation in Nigeria.

“A COP that will also place NASENI at the centre of science and innovation in the country. A vital recommendation further recognised that the partnership between NASENI and the media was pivotal towards the realisation of the grand vision for Nigeria.

“A nation where science and innovation are given primacy as a sector driving the attainment for better living, shared prosperity, economic development and inclusive growth through industrialisation.’’

NAN