How technology can be deployed to tackle insurgency, by NACETEM

The National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), an agency of the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, has said that energy sufficiency in Nigeria would be instrumental in addressing insurgency in the country.

Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NACETEM, Prof. Okechukwu Ukwuoma, who spoke at the centre located at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, while addressing newsmen on the preparedness of the centre to co-host the 2021 Global Sustainable Technology and Innovation Community Conference (G-STIC), said science and technology would only assist hugely in decimating insurgents if adequate energy is available.

Ukwuoma said the production of technological equipment that would be deployed in fighting insecurity could be produced by Nigerians if given the right motivation and resources.

He also stressed that lack of political will, motivation, enabling environment and inadequate energy, were part of the difficulties in the need to use science and technology to tackle insecurity in Nigeria.

“One of the problems we have is that energy generation, transmission and distribution level is very pathetic. Production of technological equipment, both computers and others, requires a lot of energy and if we don’t have the energy to produce them, we are merely discussing them. If we continue to discuss ideas without putting them into practical applications, we won’t achieve anything.

“Nigerians outside are doing wonders. It doesn’t mean Nigerians are not productive in the areas of science and technology. Nigerians are very good when they have what it requires; when they have the right motivation. When you tell people to do something, you give them the resources, support and protection. If there is a political will to say, I want Nigeria to develop something, give motivation, get people to do it, supervise them and give them everything they require. You can even isolate or imprison them and give them tasks, you will see that people want to make names and survive,” he added.

He said G-STIC, with the theme: “Shaping a Post-Pandemic World: Real-life examples of technological solutions for the SDGs,” is a world expo edition, which will take place in Dubai, UAE and will focus on knowledge and technologies that are crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

Ukwuoma added that the conference would be an accelerator and testing ground for breakthrough technological solutions that the world needs to shape a post-pandemic world and create a better future for all.