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It is Time for Nigeria to Take Her Place Among Global Great Nations- Nnaji
It is Time for Nigeria to Take Her Place Among Global Great Nations- Nnaji
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji has said the time has come for Nigeria to take her place among great nations on the globe.
He said: “In today’s rapidly evolving world, the pace of technological advancements is not just fast; it is exponential. Nations that have recognized and harnessed the power of research, development, and innovation are leading the charge towards economic prosperity, societal well-being, and sustainable development. It is time for Nigeria to take its rightful place among these nations.”
The Minister said this on Monday in Abuja during the opening of the National Research, Development and Innovation Coordination Summit.
He said for Nigeria “to achieve this, we must first acknowledge that our RDI ecosystem requires robust coordination, one that is resilient, inclusive, and forward-thinking. Our goal is to create a system where academia, industry, government, and the community not only interact but thrive together, fostering an environment ripe for groundbreaking innovations.”
He added that: “Our vision for Nigeria is to become a hub for African innovation, contributing significantly to the global knowledge economy. This can be achieved by implementing a three-pronged approach:
“Strengthening Institutional Frameworks:
It is imperative that we build and strengthen the institutional frameworks necessary for effective RDI coordination. This includes policy reforms that incentivize research and development, protect intellectual properties, and facilitate the commercialization of research outcomes.
“Fostering Public-Private Partnerships: The collaboration between the public sector, private industry, and academic institutions is crucial. By fostering partnerships that leverage the strengths of each sector, we can accelerate the translation of research into market-ready solutions that address our most pressing challenges.
“Investing in Human Capital: At the heart of any successful RDI ecosystem are the people. Investing in education and training to build a skilled workforce ready to navigate and lead in the Fourth Industrial Revolution is non-negotiable. We must nurture our young talents and provide them with the platforms to excel and innovate.”
The Minister said with the theme of the gathering being: “Advancing Nigeria’s Global Competitiveness, Through a Resilient National RDI Coordination,’’ it is not just a statement of intent; it is a clarion call to action.
He added that: “The journey to enhancing Nigeria’s global competitiveness through resilient RDI coordination is a collective endeavor.
“We want to bring out all the innovations, the researches we have in the shelf and develop them and that is the fulcrum of my involvement as a minister.”
Chief Strategy Officer of West and Central African Research and Education Network ( WACREN), Mr Omo Oaiya, said one of the things they do was the Pan-African Initiative to Strengthen Open Science in Africa.
He said: “As part of that, we are also working with countries in different events like this to drive cooperation and collaboration so that we can reap the benefits of such an endeavor.
“So RIKE SD is our local facilitator here. But between both of us, we have been able to create a new impetus in the Nigerian RDI coordination space.
“The main goal of this activity is to bring the different RDI actors together to look at a way of co-creating a future that we can build on.
“We are trying to align this with the presidential priorities that have been announced and the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Oaiya also said the essence of the summit was to bring international connections to support activity within Nigeria to drive RDI forward.
Global Impact lead, Research for Impact Knowledge Economy and Sustainable Development( RIKE SD), Dr Mustapha Popoola, on his part said part of what they are trying to do today was what we call research, development, innovation coordination.
He explained that “RIKE SD is a Nigerian non-for-profit organisation that has a Pan-African scope.
“We are the first research as a service organisation in Nigeria who is looking at taking research, development, innovation, outcomes and output from Nigeria to other African countries.
“For the first time we know that for us to have results based on the directive of Mr. President, we should actually institutionalise the use of research and development outcomes in ministry agencies and departments.
“it is important for us to get coordinated and know what we can offer. We are using an approach, we call it pentagonal nexus whereby the government is going to be working alongside with the industry, academia, and at the same time we are focusing on the community that are going to use those outcomes of research at community level.”
President-elect Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof. Abubakar Sambo, said the summit is expected to look into the eight areas of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
It will bring out how research and development, and in particular science, technology and innovation research can be used to significantly impact those eight areas of Mr. President.
“It is to bring up what are needed to be undertaken to boost development of the country through programs that involve research, development and innovation, and also through policy making.
“It is very important for the MDAs to incorporate in their yearly programs, aspects that will be boosted through the outputs of research, development and innovation activities”, Sani said.
Also speaking, Chairman Tech India Ltd, Dr. Shabihul Hassan,, said that the whole concept of research, development and innovation is collaboration.
“We have been connecting, collaborating with intellectuals, with members of the public and private sector to see how we can foster growth in the agri-sector, in the health sector, in the power sector, in the infrastructure sector.
“The key is teamwork. This is teamwork within the country, outside the country, collaborating nationally, internationally, and collaborating between the public and private sectors.
“So the private sector sets the way, it sets the standard. The public sector competes. The public sector also becomes competent, equally competent. So it’s collaborative work.
“The purpose of conferences like this is to bring people together, especially intellectuals, people with knowledge, different backgrounds, different countries. And that is the key to development,” he said.
Highlights of the conference is the call by all stakeholders thar there is urgent need for the creation of National Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) ecosystem in Nigeria.
It is Time for Nigeria to Take Her Place Among Global Great Nations- Nnaji
News
Northern Governors Declare Support for FG’s Plan to Restore 4 million Hectares of Degraded Land
Northern Governors Declare Support for FG’s Plan to Restore 4 million Hectares of Degraded Land
By: Michael Mike
Governors of the 19 Northern States have declared suppprt for the Federal Government’s plan to restore 4 million hectares of degraded land in the region by 2030.
Speaking in Abuja during the endorsement and validation of the first phase of the developed catchment management plans (SCMP) by the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project
stakeholders, Gombe State Governor and Chairman of Northern Governor’s Forum, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya said: “Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, we are pleased with the progress of the ACReSAL project in the beneficiary states, particularly its multi-sectoral approach to desertification control, landscape management, community livelihoods, resilience, and institutional strengthening.
“The ACReSAL project has contributed to creating a healthy and eco-friendly environment for human habitation through dryland management practices, which include gully stabilization, bioremediation, and afforestation activities.
“I would like to reiterate our commitment to supporting the ACReSAL project in achieving the Federal Government’s goal of restoring 4 million hectares of degraded land for broader landscape restoration by 2030.”
He added that: “As part of this initiative, we have, with the support of ACReSAL, planted over 4 million trees in Gombe State for instance over the past four years through our flagship program, Gombe Goes Green.”
Yahaya said: “On behalf of the 19 beneficiary states and the FCT, I want to express our profound gratitude to the Federal Ministries of Environment, Water Resources and Sanitation and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for their technical support in the development of the Strategic Catchment Management Plans generally.
“Additionally, I would like to sincerely commend the WorldBank Task Team Leader on ACReSAL, Dr. Joy Iganya Agene, along with the Bank’s specialists and the ACReSAL National Project Coordinator, Dr. Abdulhamid Umar, and his team for facilitating the development of this vital document.”
On his part, the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Lawal, while recognising that it was the first time the Government of Nigeria will be developing Strategic Catchment Management Plans of such magnitude, said: “I must also mention that the 20no. strategic catchment management plans being bankrolled by the Federal Government would create the platform and structure into which another set of 200 micro catchment management plans from the 19 ACReSAL participating states and the FCT will dovetail into.”
He disclosed that: “These micro catchment management plans would be developed by ACReSAL at state project management units, under the guidance of the Governors of the 19 ACReSAL States and the Honourable Minister of the FCT.”
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Sabi Abdullahi noted that: “Since the inception of ACReSAL, it has become a cornerstone in the ministry’s efforts to bolster the agricultural sector against climate-related challenges across communities. Within the ministry, the project has catalyzed several transformative projects, notably, the ‘Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Card Scheme’.
“Through sustainable land and water management practices, thousands of hectares of degraded land have been reclaimed, ensuring they are once again productive. The ministry has also leveraged ACReSAL to develop a climate-smart agriculture manual that will equip farmers with the tools and knowledge to adapt to changing weather patterns while maintaining productivity. The 19 northern states and FCT, home to Nigeria’s most vulnerable semi-arid regions, have been direct beneficiaries of ACReSAL’s initiatives.”
Northern Governors Declare Support for FG’s Plan to Restore 4 million Hectares of Degraded Land
Three Key bandits Leaders, several leaders killed in a deadly rival clash in Kastina
By: Zagazola Makama
A deadly violent clash between rival bandit factions erupted on Tuesday in the Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, resulting in the death of key leaders and heightened security concerns in the region.
The confrontation, involving the Yan Kambari group and followers of the late notorious bandit leader, Usman Modi Modi, led to heavy casualties and the seizure of livestock belonging to Harisu, a known associate of one of the factions.
The Yan Kambari group reportedly launched the attack on Harisu’s residence, sparking a deadly confrontation that claimed the lives of several bandit leaders, including: Nasiru Bosho, Bala Yatsa and Audu Mankare, who succumbed to gunshot injuries sustained during the clash.
Nasiru Bosho is a notorious leader of bandit operations in Safana LGA and heading the Dogon Marke Camp, who was overseeing weapons previously held by Usman Modi Modi, Bala Yatsa was known for his role in the killing of Usman Modi Modi while Audu Mankare who sustained a gunshot wound in the chest during the engagement, is believed to have succumbed to his injuries shortly after the incident.
More infighting is expected to unfold as both groups are warming up to carry out reprisal.
Three Key bandits Leaders, several leaders killed in a deadly rival clash in Kastina
KACRAN National President commends Potikum LG Chairman
By: Yahaya Wakili
The National President of the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN), Hon. Khalil Mohammed Bello, has commended the executive chairman of the Potiskum local government area, Yobe State, Hon. Salisu Muktari, for providing herders of Potiskum local government with water points.
Hon. Khalil Bello made the commendation when he and his entourage visited the chairman in the council chamber in continuation of the association community-to-community peace sensitization campaign in the state.
“In addition to his previous excellent performances with regards to providing his pastoralists with water points, the executive chairman promised to provide more water points for Potiskum local government herders in the 2025 fiscal year,” Bello said.
The national president called on pastoralists in the Potiskum local government area and its environs to continue to live in peace with one another by avoiding the destruction of anybody’s farmlands.
According to him, the sensitization is part of the proactive measures taken by the association to prevent herder and farmer conflicts in the state and the nation in general.
He reinstated the need for harders not to destroy farmlands during the ongoing harvesting period, adding that pastoralists and farmers are partners in progress.
Hon. Khalil Mohammed Bello acknowledges the government’s commitment under the able leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni CON towards ending the premium crises between farmers and cattle rearers in the state.
He also appreciates the warm reception and the hospitality accorded him and members of his entourage by the executive chairman of the council, Hon. Salisu Muktari, and the people of Potiskum town and its surroundings.
The National President urged the other local government executives chairmen to emulate the executive chairman of Potiskum local government, Hon. Salisu Muktari, to provide water points to herders in their respective local government areas.
Speaking earlier, the executive chairman of the Potiskum local government area, Hon. Salisu Muktari, assured the readiness of the local government council towards supporting the association to achieve its desired objectives.
The chairman pledged to construct more water points for pastoralists in the area and called on the KACRAN leadership to identify the point where the water facilities will be constructed.
KACRAN National President commends Potikum LG Chairman
Northern Governors Declare Support for FG’s Plan to Restore 4 million Hectares of Degraded Land
Three Key bandits Leaders, several leaders killed in a deadly rival clash in Kastina
KACRAN National President commends Potikum LG Chairman
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