Director-General, NASENI, Prof. Olusegun Adewoye receiving an award as the Fellow of the Science Association of Nigeria at the 46th Annual Conference

The Science Association of Nigeria (SAN), at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, recently inaugurated new fellows during the 46^th Annual Conference tagged: ZAZZAU 2011, with the theme:  Paradigms of Scientific Revolution in the 21^st Century and the Realities of Global Challenges.

The Director-General/Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof. Olusegun Oyeleke Adewoye, one of the awardees also gave the key note address titled: ‘Repositioning Science, Technology and Innovation System in Nigeria to Meet Global Challenges of the 21^st Century’.

In his presentation, the DG/CE stated that science, especially science and industrial innovation are the greatest engine behind science revolution in the world; adding that demand for technology has never been higher as people from all walks of life are clamouring for more, better and faster technology.

According to him, ‘Today’s high technology is based on research of yesterday. Science is an enquiry by knowledge-driven process; finding concepts and developing models, which requires intellectual dexterities and abilities for independent funds, which is what we do in NASENI’

Prof. Adewoye also emphasised the need for repositioning if Nigeria must truly be among the 20 economies in the year 2020. ‘If we want to be one of the 20 economies in 2020, then our job is cut out for us, that means that from the position we are now, we have to overtake other nations that are ahead of us-It is not impossible, but it is not the present state that we are in now, we have to have a paradigm shift, we have to reposition ourselves; we have to have almost a different country, almost a different people and discipline.

The DG, who stated that Nigerians must believe in themselves, have a short, medium and long term target, noted that Nigeria must vote for education, science, engineering, technology and innovation and proper financing. Citing the example of China, he said, ‘China has a good science and technology mix and proper financing. Their foreign exchange has tremendously increased based on discipline, good governance and science and technology; these are the factors if we want to make a paradigm shift’.

Prof Adewoye, however, advised that legislators should, ‘Make laws that will move us forward as a nation technologically. There is no country without technology that can guarantee economic growth; it is saddening that we still import what we can make’.

He opined that there must be synergy between agencies, re-defined extant rules and policies; adding that Nigeria needs a paradigm shift and goods that can compete favorably in international market through Advance Manufacturing. ‘I encapsulated all these in what I called NASENI niche areas-thinking out of the box, policy and paradigm shift. We recommend what we have done to nation as a way of fast- tracking and making sure that we excel as a nation. The dream of achieving Vision 20-2020 is tall, but it is not impossible’.

Also speaking was the Director-General of National Office for Technological Acquisition and Promotion Board (NOTAB), Engr. Umar Bindu, who did not differ from Prof. Adewoye.

Engr. Bindu, who spoke on ‘Development of Science & Technology in Nigeria’ lamented that Nigeria just celebrated 50 years independence with few global patent as an index of technological progress.

He took a swipe on depending on experts in Diaspora in recording exploit in the field of science and technology. ‘To achieve Vision 20-2020, Nigeria needs domestic global experts and not experts in the Diaspora’.

NOTAB DG opined that Nigeria needs to move from the level she is to a greater economy- an economy that is producing. ‘We want to have global visibility, so that when they talk about moving economy, Nigeria can be part of the list. We want to be globally competitive.

Engr. Bindu, who also lamented the weak infrastructure and weak educational system, noted that ‘there is need to build a dynamic and knowledge-base economy so that young people can look forward to universities because when they graduate, industries will be waiting for them. All these depend on how you acquire or deploy science, technology and innovation.

The NOTAB helmsman said he would not be sentimental, stated that countries that are already among the 20 economies of the world have fantastic education system, good library, laboratory and institution and well written and articulated policies that are implementable, which are lacking in Nigeria.

‘We have to change because Nigerians have the feeling that you will have some consultants at all levels of government. These consultants only go to the internet, read other people’s policies and cut and paste for Nigeria and at the end, they cannot be implemented’.

He concluded that Nigerian investment in Research and Development is very meagre, thus, researchers are completely disorganised and directionless.

The highlight of the conference was the presentation of awards to the awardees, which include:  His Excellency, the executive governor of Kaduna State, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Vice Chancellor, Usman Danfodiyo University, Prof. Riskuwa Arabu Shehu, Prof. Johnson Femi Iyun, Faculty of Science, ABU, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Executive Secretary, Education Trust Fund, Dr. Matoh Dary Dogara, Deputy Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly, Prof. Peter Okebukola, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of Crowford University and Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, proprietor, Baze University.

The event was well attended by scientists, engineers and politicians alike.