Awka – The Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr Danazumi Ibrahim has disclosed plans by his office, to establish a science laboratory in Anambra state to encourage students and help industrialist process their raw materials.
Ibrahim made the disclosure during the special presentation of technology storyboard materials to nine secondary schools in Anambra state by NOTAP in Awka yesterday.
He described science and technology as the bedrock for national development which will encourage Nigeria’s economic development.
The DG said that the students are the leaders of tomorrow who would drive the engine room for the nations’ industrial development, adding that they need a solid foundation in science and technology.
He said, “NOTAP has plans to establish a science laboratory in the state to encourage the students to have a practical approach to science and technology.
“If you continue to consume other nation’s products, you become dependent on such nations”, he said, adding that “science and technology help to transform raw materials to finished products”.
He expressed the opinion that if the children of today can get it right in science and technology, Nigeria would reap economic prosperity.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Senator Uche Ekwunife, commended the initiative, saying the interest of school children in Science and Technology from primary to secondary school levels would be reawakened.
She said, “This will enable the young ones to understand the process from farm to the factory and to the finished products practically demonstrated. Children will identify the potential value chain in the overall process of our productive engagements and take advantage of them even as they choose their carrier paths.”
Ekwunife who was represented by the former Commissioner for commerce in the state, Barr Ken Arinze, added that blending the nation’s indigenous technology with the foreign ones would help the country excel faster and better as well as reduce the cost of production for Nigeria.
A staff of one of the beneficiaries from Obosi girls secondary school, Amuche Okoye commended the NOTAP for giving them the opportunity to be part of the program.
“We now know that Maggie cubes, indomie etc were processed from agricultural produce, I will circulate the information that they are not harmful to the public. One can open a processing unit for agricultural produce we have around us”, she said
Three schools were drawn from each of the three senatorial zones in Anambra, including Community sec school Akpo, Community high school Ogboji, Abot special secondary school(Anambra South); Obosi girls secondary school, Federal science technical college Awka, Special science school Abagana(Anambra Central); New Era secondary school Nteje, St Charles secondary school Onitsha and Ideke girls secondary school Odekpe(Anambra North).
