NASENI to help Katsina become economically viable

Kastina State Governor Aminu Masari, in collaboration with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), has unveiled plans to establish Engineering Materials and Equipment Development Institute (EMEDI), to make Katsina one of the economically-viable states in the country.

The governor hosted the unveiling of the partnership targeted at youth development, silicon-glass research, and minerals development in Government House, Katsina.

The NASENI delegation was led by the Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Mohammed Haruna.

Masari hailed NASENI’s achievement as an intervention agency through its homegrown technology for industrialisation, adding that the cooperation would yield mass job creation and economic wellbeing of the nation.

He said the emergence of EMEDI in Katsina would rapidly reduce the crime rate and harness the vast mineral resources for improved internal revenue and self-reliance, adding that in his visit to China and other Asian countries, he carefully observed their secrets.

“No nation or society can develop without investing in research and development or innovation. This particular feat was what China attained to move from an extremely poor nation to current global reckoning.

“Their secrets simply are massive investments in science, technology, and innovations. There is nothing stopping Nigeria from doing the same through a well funded NASENI system, as it is about to happen in Katsina.

“I believe in Nigeria and Nigeria’s experts. I don’t want foreigners alone to provide the technical supports needed for the development of the state. That is why we have turned to NASENI for this critical need. And I know that the agency can deliver looking through their track records of its achievements,” Masari stated.

According to Haruna, until governments in Nigeria begin to practically invest in research and development, technology and innovation, the people will continue to experience poverty atop abundance or resources untapped on the soil.

“We need technology, human capacity – scientists, engineers, all professionals in practical ways – to process all mineral deposits into products, goods, and services. This is necessary to address poverty and to create jobs for the teeming youths in Katsina, the North, and nationwide.”