In line with Federal Government’s efforts in promoting Science and Technology education in the Country, the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has commissioned model Chemistry Laboratory equipment and chemicals to the Government Science Secondary School Uke, Nassarawa State.
Speaking during the Commissioning ceremony, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NOTAP, Dr. DanAzumi Mohammed Ibrahim said that the project chemistry laboratory equipment was initiated by NOTAP to ensure that basic practical Science and technology are taught in Nigerian Secondary Schools in a bid to catch them young.
He noted that no nation develops without the instrumentalities of Science, Technology, and Innovation, hence the urgent need to equip as many Nigerian Science Secondary Schools with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment to facilitate practical teaching and learning at a young age. He added that a major educational foundation is laid at the secondary school and when a child
misses the basic rudiments of science in secondary schools, and then it becomes difficult to adopt.
Dr Ibrahim informed the gathering that NOTAP was established to regulate the inflow of foreign technology into the country but also has the responsibility to encourage and promote the development of locally motivated technologies. He added that as a regulatory establishment, the
Office observed a gap between the academia and the industry and for a country that is desirous of becoming a major player in the global technology marketplace, such a situation was unacceptable and needed to be urgently addressed.
Ibrahim noted that in order to bridge the gap between academia and industry, the Office in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2006 midwife establishment of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Offices (IPTTO) in some Nigerian
knowledge institutions. He noted that the idea was to ensure that Nigerian researchers focused more on demand-driven research rather than engaging in conventional research for the purposes of career progression.
The DG stated that prior to the establishment of IPTTOs in Nigerian knowledge institutions, the culture of Intellectual Property was weak. He said that it is the intention of the Office to extend the project of the Chemical Laboratory upgrade to many secondary schools across the geo-political zones of the Country subject to the availability of funds.
He called for more budgetary allocation to NOTAP to ensure that its numerous impactful projects are implemented. He also called on State governments as well as private establishments to support the project of equipping Nigerian secondary schools with model laboratory equipment to ensure the growth of Science, Technology, and Innovation in our Country.
In her goodwill message, the Honourable Commissioner of Education, Nassarawa State, Hajia Fati Jimeta represented by Mallam Abubakar Kana, the Director of Schools in the Ministry, expressed appreciation to NOTAP for donating such educational facilities to the school. She said that the Executive Governor of Nassarawa State is enthusiastic about Science and Technology education and has been encouraging schools to ensure that students perform well in Science related subjects.
She stated that the impact of NOTAP’s intervention will sooner or later be felt throughout the State as other neighbouring schools may be at liberty to utilize the chemical apparatus and equipment supplied, by NOTAP. The Commissioner also urged NOTAP to continue the good work to ensure that other government facilities are located in the school as well as other
secondary schools across the Country.
Earlier in his address, the Principal of the school, Musa Dalhatu Hassan who was visibly joyous expressed delight at the gesture of the government through NOTAP. He said that he had worked in many schools within the State but hadn’t seen this kind of gesture from the government establishment. He prayed for more wisdom in the management of NOTAP to undertake more projects.
