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FIIRO partners agro-based groups on economic diversification

By Stanley Akpunonu
18 August 2016   |   2:04 am
Director General (DG) of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Oshodi, Lagos, Dr. Gloria Elemo, has disclosed that the institute in its bid to diversify the nation’s economy has partnered the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce...
Dr. Gloria Elemo

Dr. Gloria Elemo

Director General (DG) of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Oshodi, Lagos, Dr. Gloria Elemo, has disclosed that the institute in its bid to diversify the nation’s economy has partnered the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture’s (NACCIMA), Business Women, and Agricultural Trade Group on Small Scale Businesses and Investments in the Agro Sector.

Speaking in Lagos during NACCIMA’s courtesy call to the institute, Elemo said the partnership was not only birthed as a result of the interest in building Nigeria’s economy beyond oil and gas, it was also geared at diversifying it through agriculture.

Elemo noted that the economy has suffered a lot of setbacks and the organised private sector through technologies developed by FIIRO can change a lot.According to her, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be signed to enhance the transfer FIIRO’s technologies to the NACIMMA’s women group.

Elemo advanced that the women group, which already has an entrepreneurship programme, would create an easy platform to assist women coming up with their own various businesses and this will definitely create jobs.

“This is a major strategy to come together to work and achieve government objectives and mandates towards diversification, we need to work with the private sector and the group’s initiative is welcomed,” she added.

The FIIRO boss regretted that though the institute has developed over 350 well-packaged technologies, the issue of transferring them out has been a major challenge. “Over the last five years we have been working seriously and making sure these technologies are out there on the fields, commercialisation is not easy; it requires a lot of money,” she expressed.

Elemo encouraged the youths, telling them the need of picking a skill. She said: “The bedrock of any civilization and development is small scale businesses, so the youths should come to FIIRO put themselves into clusters start up business in the area of technology.”

While commending FIIRO, Vice President South West, women business group Mrs. Nana Okunribido said she looks further to strengthening their collaboration with FIIRO towards the upliftment of women owned businesses in Nigeria.

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