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Tag: Innovation

  • NAF showcases innovative products at technology expo 2018

    Participants at the just concluded Technology and Innovation Expo 2018 have expressed absolute delight over the innovativeness and achievements of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in the area of Research and Development.

    The NAF, which was invited by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to the 5-day exhibition, had on display various innovative products such as the Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), Air Marshal SB Abubakar Aviation Power Pack and Hydraulic Diaphragm for the Mi-Series Helicopter.

    The exhibition, which held from 5-9 March 2018 at the Eagle Square Abuja, had as its theme, “Fast Tracking Sustainable Development of Nigeria Through Science and Technology”.

    Apart from showcasing its innovative products, the NAF was also invited as an assessor along with other reputable research organisations and members of the academia due to its immense contributions and progress in Science and Technology.

    The products on display were the efforts of the Air Force Research and Development Centre and the Air Force Institute of Technology in partnership with universities and Research Institutions in the country.

    The event was attended by representatives of various Research institutes, industries, schools and private organisations.

    The opening and closing ceremonies of the Exhibition were attended by His Excellency, the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu among other dignitaries.

    The NAF Research Team was led by the Director of Research and Development, Group Captain Ahmed Shinkafi, who also delivered the goodwill message on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, during the Engineering Day organised by National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) at the event.

    At the end of the exhibition, certificates of participation and prizes were presented to participants.

     

  • FG ready to hold Technology, Innovation Expo’s 2018 in March

    The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) says it will hold Technology and Innovation Expo 2018 to promote commercialisation of research and development results to aid diversification of the economy.

    The Ministry in a statement said the theme of the Expo 2018 would be “Fast tracking Sustainable Development of Nigeria through Science and Technology“.

    The expo is scheduled to hold from March 5 to March 9 in Abuja.

    It said the success achieved at the 2017 edition of the Science, Technology and Innovation Expo held from April 3 to April 7, 2017 had further spurred the interest of the investors to commercialise research and development results to aid diversification of the economy.

    “The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology wishes to inform the general public of the next edition of the Science, Technology and Innovation Expo 2018 coming up from the March 5 to March 9, 2018 at the Eagle Square, Abuja, Nigeria.

    “Expo 2018 will build upon the objectives of the foregoing Expo of 2017, “ the statement read.

    According to the statement, main objectives of the 2018 edition will include follow-up on Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed as a result of the previous expo and promoting collaborations among research institutions and researchers/inventors.

    It said that the event would encourage interactions between researchers and investors with a view to commercialising research results, inventions and innovations from Nigeria’s research and tertiary institutions.

    It said the Expo 2018 would facilitate growth of indigenous manufacturing hinged on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as well as generally promoting STI culture in Nigeria.

    “Fast tracking the implementation of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Road Map -2030 to bring to fore capabilities of Nigerian Scientists, Engineers, and Inventors/Innovators in contributing to economic diversification of Nigeria,“ it said.

    The ministry said the 2018 edition of the Technology and Innovation Expo would feature exhibitions of research and development results, inventions, innovations, STI Products/Services.

    Others are researchers/investors forum, technical sessions on emerging issues, Special Days for States, conglomerates, awards of prizes, certificates to outstanding exhibitors and researchers.

     

  • Onu launches Roadmap 2030 on Science, Technology, Innovation

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has launched the South-South Sensitisation Programme on Science, Technology and Innovation Roadmap 2030, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Mr Abdul-Ganiyu Aminu, the Deputy Director of Press in the ministry, who made this known in a statement on Tuesday quoted Onu as saying the effort was to ensure scientists harnessed innovation by utilising roadmap as an instrument of providing jobs.

    He said the roadmap would also create wealth and reduce poverty in the nation.

    He said the ministry would harness invention and innovation in order to catapult the nation toward economic recovery.

    According to him, the present administration has accorded priority to science and technology in the economic recovery and growth plan.

    He said with the reduction in the importation of raw materials, Nigeria would save about N3 trillion in the next five years.

    “The savings will be utilised to service other critical sectors of the economy such as job creation, social and infrastructure development,” he said.

    Onu said that local contents would now be encouraged in all Science and Engineering contracts in the country.

    He appealed to staff to study and be guided by the Roadmap in their Scientific and Research endeavours.

    Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director of Science and Technology Promotion, Mr Ekanem Udoh, said unlike past policy guidelines, the roadmap was infused with practicable timelines to boost Scientific, and Technological Development of the country.

     

  • FG to set up leather technology centres across geo-political zones

    The federal government, in efforts to advance leather production in Nigeria, has finalized plans to create leather research and development centres across the geo-political zones of the country.

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja at the matriculation of trainees and inauguration of Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology (NILEST), North Central Leather cluster extension centre as well as leather training infrastructure.

    He said the process of creating additional leather research and development centres in other geo-political zones had reached advance stage.

    The minister said such serious steps to promote leather production would quicken Nigeria’s industrialisation process.

    “By doing this, we will also strengthen our capacity to convert our rich agricultural products into viable economic goods and services that we need for both domestic consumption as well strengthen export earnings.

    “This will help in job and wealth creation, help restore national self-reliance and self-confidence, enhance prosperity and boost our economy,” he said.

    The minister said the Ministry was determined to use Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to lay a solid foundation for Nigeria’s economic diversification.

    According to him, the day’s event is an affirmation of the resolution.

    The minister said the Federal Government’s new national development order on STI would help move the country from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based and innovation driven economy.

    “It is expected that this will help strengthen greater grassroots participation in leather technology, thereby helping to stimulate more indigenous capacity for the ultimate benefit of our people.

    “Finally, I urge the trainees of this institute to take the vocation seriously.

    “Nigeria will look up to you on the completion of your training to help in her efforts to use leather technology to create wealth and job, reduce poverty and enhance prosperity for our people.’’

    Earlier, NILEST Acting Director-General, Dr Eucharia Oparah, said NILEST was the only tertiary institution in Nigeria engaged in the training of middle-level manpower for the leather technology sub-sector of the economy.

    “We have been training artisans, technicians and technologists at different levels since the inception of the institute.

    “Also, we have been collaborating with the tanneries, leather manufacturers, government and private organisations within and outside the country, “she said.

    According to her leather has become the major earner of foreign exchange after oil.

    She added that for a sustainable growth NILEST should be given the needed support to carry out its mandate of training and research in the field of leather and leather products.

    She said the institute ought be empowered and converted to a degree awarding institution as the highest qualification currently awarded by the institute was Higher National Diploma.

     

  • ‘America will be world’s great magnet for innovation, job creation’ – Trump

    ‘America will be world’s great magnet for innovation, job creation’ – Trump

     

    U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Tuesday “America would be the world’s great magnet for innovation and job creation” during his presidency.

    Trump, in a tweet, quoted reports that suggested plan by automobile giant Ford to scrap Mexico plant and invest in Michigan.

    “Ford to scrap Mexico plant, invest in Michigan due to Trump policies,” the incoming president tweeted.

    “Instead of driving jobs and wealth away, AMERICA will become the world’s great magnet for INNOVATION & JOB CREATION,” he added.

    The President-elect also quoted another report that “Trump is already delivering the jobs he promised America”.

    “Trump is already delivering the jobs he promised America,” the president-in-waiting said on his twitter handle.

    The incoming president had earlier in his tweet, also slammed General Motors, threatening a “big border tax” on the automaker’s cars made in Mexico.

    “General Motors is sending Mexican made model of Chevy Cruze to U.S. car dealers-tax free across border. Make in U.S.A. or pay big border tax!” Trump said.

    However, in a statement released after Trump’s tweet, General Motors said only a small number of its cars made in Mexico were sent to the U.S. market.

    “General Motors manufactures the Chevrolet Cruze sedan in Lordstown, Ohio. All Chevrolet Cruze sedans sold in the U.S. are built in GM’s assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio.

    “GM builds the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback for global markets in Mexico, with a small number sold in the U.S.,” a statement from the company read.

    Similarly, Trump had also earlier on Tuesday said there should be no more prisoner releases from the U.S. military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

    “There should be no further releases from Gitmo.

    “These are extremely dangerous people and should not be allowed back onto the battlefield,’’ Trump said.

    President Barack Obama had sought to close the prison since he entered office in 2009, but has been unable to carry out the plan in the face of opposition from Congress.

    Obama, in Nov. 2016, announced renewed plans for closing the facility in 2017, indicating he would release more prisoners in the final weeks of his term in office, which ends on Jan. 20.

     

     

    NAN