Maduako Igbokwe l Friday, November 25, 2022
AWKA, Anambra – Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology Dr Uche Ekwunife has called for the review of the trend of dumping researches in shelve instead of turning them to commercial values .
Senator Ekwunife gave the charge on Friday in Awka at opening ceremony of National Innovation Workshop with the theme: “Promotion of Local Inventors of Science, Technology and Innovation”.
According to her, it is observed that research in higher institutions and research centres are mainly for graduation projects and promotions and not for national development.
Ekwunife said every Research finding in institutions should translate to market values for the development of the economy. She said the trend of dumping research findings in institutions in shelve most be reviewed and reversed for the national development.
Ekwunife said that if research are market driven ,it would help for the development and problem solving in the country. ” Ironically, these days lecturers in tertiary institutions are being evaluated based on numbers of papers they write and publish. Most graduates lack practical knowledge and technique that the labour market requires. If we must reverse the trend ,this should change in tandem with the creative economy paradigm of the 21st century. Let us use research results to develop new market and business models to boast our national output through the convergences between technology and business” she said .
She said that scientific and technological breakthrough are mainly achieved through Research and Development, thereby leading to innovation and sustainable industrial and economic development.
According to her, any nation that wants to develop economically must prioritize on science and technology innovations.
Speaking also at the event, the former senate president, Sen. Pius Anyim said science and scientific inventions shapes the contours of industrialization of any nation, and that Nigeria must embrace it.
He also called for harnessing of available human resources , grooming and nurturing of the youths to the path of science, technology, innovation and invitations for necessary opportunities.
Meanwhile the governor of Anambra State, Prof Charles Soludo commended the Senate committee on science and technology for bringing such training to the state .
According to him, the state is keying into science and technology to lift many youths out of poverty. He promised to patronize on any goods produce in Anambra state and Nigeria, noting that time has gone when people go for foreign materials.
“All the clothes and shoes I am wearing are made in Anambra. We must encourage people to learn skills and support them to grow” he said
