Minister Commissions Science Centres In Ogun

The Minister, also commissioned Modern Incubation Units (NBTI Odogbolu) including Conference and Exhibition Hall (NBTI Abeokuta).

The Projects were facilitated by Akinlade Abiodun Isiaq, erstwhile Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology, who represented Yewa South and Ipokia Federal Constituency, Ogun State, in Federal House of Representative.

The former Minister, who was represented by the Director General, FIIRO, Dr. Mrs. Gloria Elemo said he was delighted because, “we are beginning to witness a clear demonstration of application of indigenous technologies developed by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology through some of its parastatals for rural and urban industrialisation and most especially to provide opportunities for massive job creation and poverty alleviation.”

He said that the two-term former Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology Akinlade Abiodun Isiaq, emphasises the utilisation of science and technology as an instrument for rapid industrialisation through indigenous technologies for job and wealth creation. He added that the House Committee under his leadership witnessed achievements in science, technology and innovation policy articulation and formulation for sustainable economic development.

The Minister commended the Director-Generals of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO); National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI); National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) and National Agency for Biotechnology Development (NABDA) for their commitments to this programme. He charged them not to rest until the projects take off fully in line with the objectives especially to realise our collective objective on job creation for our teaming unemployed youths. He recommended operating some of the factories on Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) basis for transparency and sustainability especially in these days of dwindling oil revenues.

“I have no doubt the projects have the capacity to stimulate industrial development in Ogun State. For example, the Catalytic Model Factory for cassava processing of FIIRO, and snailry project of the National Biotechnology Development Agency, which are some of the major projects under this programme”.

“I am impressed that some of the parastatals have already deployed professional staff to operate the various projects; this is a sure confirmation that we are not going to have failed or what is called abandoned projects. I therefore, seek for maximum cooperation of the host community with these professionals as they carry out their duties. I also seek support to facilitate their movement to and fro offices from their places of abode and in the long run we should be thinking of quarters to house the workers to enhance their performance and effective delivery of the project objectives”.

Isiaq, said he embarked on the projects in order to create job opportunities for members of his community to reduce poverty and enhance development. He said the place was modeled after a Science Centre that exists in Thailand.

He said: “Recently, 100 people have already been employed in this community, by time goes on more people would be employed and more youths would benefit from the program. It would boost agriculture because community members cultivate cassava and they are going to benefit from the project, it would opportunity for more cassava farming. We produce a lot of cassava but without processing machine we cannot be able to harness our cassava.