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Researchers to Unveil Strategies to Achieve Tinubu’s Eight-Point Agenda

Researchers to Unveil Strategies to Achieve Tinubu’s Eight-Point Agenda
By: Michael Mike
Researchers in the country are set to unveil strategies toward achieving the eight priority agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
This was the outcome of the National Research, Development and Innovation Coordination Summit. A Summit convened and facilitated by Research for Impact, Knowledge Economy, and Sustainable Development (RIKE-SD) and organised by West and Central Africa Research and Education Network (WACREN) with financial support from Foreign Commonwealth Development Office, UK.
Speaking at the closing of the Summit in Abuja at the weekend, the Global Impact lead, Research for Impact Knowledge Economy and Sustainable Development( RIKE SD), Dr Mustapha Popoola, said the group of researchers plan to provide workable solutions to pronouncements of the president especially his eight-point agenda.
The blue print according to him, would be presented to President Tinubu by 29 May 2024 when he marks a year in office.
Mustapha said the private sector driven innovation aimed at tackling various challenges bothering the country through Research, Development and Innovation.
Mustpha stressed that the initiative aimed at moving the president pronouncements from an instruction to practical implementation.
He said: “Over the decades there has been the same problem, problem of research is not making money, research commercialization problem, everything people have been talking about RDI whereas, Mr. Presidents, in his wisdom has actually directed the need for us to institutionalize research development or innovation across board.”
He noted that as it happens in other climes, when a presidential pronouncement is made, it gives life and it is actually a national direction, and researchers in Nigeria have taken the steps to follow the president’s directive.
He said: “So we take it and in taking it we are making sure that we are taking it to the next level. So the first thing we want to do is to interrogate the Presidential priority areas, eight of them.
“So it’s like we are using the directory of the president using the toolkit that we have with us as a people before and as experts to now provide solution to the agenda been set for the country by Mr. President.
“So for the past three days, we have actually been doing that. And we have our working groups who are actually going to be reconstituted as the national think tank for the presidential priority areas.
“We are saying for the first time, we are launching out Research, Development and Innovation think tank that will be looking at the agenda of Mr. President, and particularly the priority areas.
“So in this room, we have eight groups that have been working on for the past 48 hours on this agenda. And the next thing is for us to allow going to the phase of evidence and synthesis, and come back with solutions to our national problems that are under each of the agenda.
“And to actually get that one down to Mr. President, for implementation, and see those that needs to go to the private sector.”
He said the idea would be demand driven with emphasis on end users of the research work
Mustapha added: “That is we are actually looking at the end users of those research which are the communities. So the communities are going to be on display, but as a new approach to make sure that we deliver results.
“So in the past three days, we’ve set out to actually achieve that. And we have actually done a great job. We believe before May 29, 2024 when the President would be celebrating his first year in office, he would have a clear blueprint of what research, development or innovation can be used to catalyze the achievement of his eight priority areas.
“So that is what we promise that’s what we want to deliver. And we are actually looking at initializing this particular platform at both state and non state levels, at national and sub national level, so that we can actually build sustainability into it.”
Also speaking to journalists at the closing of the Summit, the former Director General, Defence Research and Development Bureau, Air Vice Marshall (AVM) Jomo Osahor (Rtd) said efforts are on to ensure that Nigeria joins in the knowledge base economy, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in the transformation era.
He said: “We are all aware that the great nations and the nations that are making so much progress in their economies and every sector of their development have moved away from resource based to a knowledge base, and that is what the whole world is doing, going on knowledge based economy.
“So research and development is very essential in the development of every nation, because you need to be creative. You need to be innovative. You don’t have to depend on the ideas that are foreign.
“Most of the times you face some unique challenges, and this unique challenges you cannot buy their solutions off the shelve and even if you can, they might not be willing to sell it to you for political reasons or other reasons.
“But when you have developed it yourself, then you can always use it and until you get to that level as a nation, where you are independent in the production of your needs, you are not independent.
“So I think research and development is something that is key. And that is why this summit is very timely and very important.”
Former Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Prof. Elias Bogoro, on his part, stressed the importance of research in a knowledge based economy.
Bogoro said it would be difficult for any country to move forward without research, adding that: “Talking about knowledge economy. And as you can imagine, research is at the center and defining line of knowledge economy.
“You cannot undertake advancement without generating information based on investigation, creativity, and innovation as it were. And I think that is exactly the situation and the world is operating knowledge economy in the 21st century.
“Nigeria could not be different. And government realizes this. Precisely why, for quite a long time, I’ve seen very strong involvement, facilitation and support of government through the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.”
The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa commended the summit, stressing importance of research, development and innovation.
She said: “Because without data, without research, without developments, we cannot grow.
“So we see what other countries are doing with it. We should not be left behind. And that is why Mr. President himself has stressed the need for research, development and innovation.
“And what we have to do is ensure that in every sphere of our lives, in every Ministry and Department in every organization, it becomes a critical part of the organisation.
“You need to grow but you cannot grow without researching, or you cannot grow without innovations, and we have a whole lot of talents. And what we are doing with this group is that we can work with the guys in the diaspora.”
She argued that it is in the talents we have as a nation that give us enormous resources and potential for development and not even the natural resources in this case our oil.
She added that: “So it’s about collaboration. So we hope to collaborate with the diaspora in this field with those back at home, so it’s about just bringing out the best of ourselves.”
Researchers to Unveil Strategies to Achieve Tinubu’s Eight-Point Agenda
News
Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution

Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution
The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), on Monday, called for urgent global action to tackle plastic pollution causing environmental crisis.
APWEN, under its “STEM for All” initiative, North-East zone, made the call, while commemorating the 2025 World Environment Day in Gombe.
Speaking virtually, President of APWEN, Engr. Adebisi Osim, said it is imperative to encourage recycling of plastics, as part of measures to reduce pollution.
Osim noted that the amount of plastics manufactured annually for use had made it necessary for urgent actions to be taken, to ensure a cleaner and safer environment.
“Today’s theme, “End Plastic Pollution” is not just a catchy phrase, It is a wake-up call; a global one and we are answering that call, not with panic, but with STEM-driven solutions and people-centered action.
“According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the world produces over 430 million tonnes of plastic annually, and over two-thirds of that becomes waste.
“Alarmingly, less than 10 per cent is recycled, and the rest clogs our drains, litters our streets, chokes our rivers, and poisons marine life.
“Here in Nigeria, the World Bank estimates that Lagos alone generates 13,000 metric tonnes of waste per day, and 15 per cent of that is plastic.
“We see it daily in pure water sachets lining our gutters, single-use bags littering markets, and microplastics infiltrating our food chains,” she said
.
Osim called on stakeholders to invest more in recycling the plastics towards reducing the need for new plastic production, which will in turn lower greenhouse gas emission.
She assured that state chapters are collaborating with young people, to design plastic alternatives, using local materials, and to build waste-sorting systems using simple robotics.
Osim added that the chapters will also explore the conduct of STEM fairs, which are focused on sustainable innovation.
In the same vein, Chairman of the Gombe chapter of APWEN, Engr. Deborah Danladi, urged stakeholders to invest in plastic waste recycling, to save the environment, as well as create jobs and wealth for youths.
Danladi also underscored the need for more action and sensitisation to ensure collective approach to addressing the menace of plastic pollution.
Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution
News
UN Agencies Drum Support for Adequate Investment in MSMEs

UN Agencies Drum Support for Adequate Investment in MSMEs
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations (UN) agencies in Nigeria have hammered on the need for adequate investment in the development of Micro, Small and Medium sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to advance economic growth in the country.
The agencies disclosed this during the commemoration ceremony of the 2025 MSMEs Day on Monday in Abuja.
The event was jointly organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), International Labour Organisation (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
Director, UNIDO Sub-regional Office, Abuja, Mr. Philbert Johnson, who was represented by National Programme Officer at UNIDO, Mr. Reuben Bamidele,, said that MSMEs role in nation building cannot be underestimated, therefore the need for adequate investment to ensure their sustainable growth is of uppermost importance.
Johnson said: “We are gathered together today to discuss proper ways to promote innovation and growth within the MSMEs sector.
“In Nigeria, as we know not less than 40million MSMEs are making huge contribution to the economic growth of the country, by providing employment and serving as means of livelihood for people.
“MSMEs, thereby, contribute to the growth of Gross Domestic Products across sectors of the country’s economy. We gathered to dissect the challenges MSMEs face and also, to work closely together towards achieving sustainable growth.”
The ILO Country Representative, Dr Vanessa Phala, stressed the need for strategic measures to be taken to bolster MSMEs impact on the nation’s economy.
Phala, who was represented by ILO’s National Project Coordinator for the Social Dimension of Ecological Transition, Stephen Agugua, said: “We look at how MSMEs can drive the future of the economy through job creation and employment. When you think of job creation and employment that is where ILO comes in.
“MSMEs are key to the growth of every economic sphere: Through this dialogue platform ILO will know the challenges MSMEs are facing and look at pathways for ensuring sustainable solutions collectively.”
The UNDP Deputy-Director, Ms Varsha Redkar-Palepu, represented the National Programme Specialist and Trade Focal Point at UNDP by Claire Henshaw,, described MSMEs as pivotal to nation building.
She noted that MSMEs form the foundation of inclusive and sustainable development in Nigeria, “MSMEs are vital engines for job creation, innovation and social mobilisation, particularly for women and youths. While operating on margins of formal economic systems, we need to put MSMEs at the centre of our development.
“In Nigeria and across Africa, MSMEs holds the key to transforming economic opportunities to meaningful development and the ambition into tangible outcomes,” Phala said.
On his part, Managing-Director of Prohealth, a private organisation, Dr Chinedu Nnabuihe who spoke on behalf of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), commended the UN agencies for putting the event together.
According to him, the event is dedicated to the invaluable role MSMEs play in advancing innovation, creating jobs, increasing inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the country.
“In Nigeria, MSMEs are the engine of our economy, driving local production, supporting livelihood and contributing significantly to national GDPs. This is amidst challenges posed by economic situation, limited access to finance and infrastructure.
“Nigeria MSMEs have continued to demonstrate resilience, creativity and determination. At NECA we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering an enabling environment in supporting MSMEs development,” Nnabuihe said.
The event attracted stakeholders from Small and Medium Enterprises Development (SMEDAN), Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nigeria Association of of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Others include, National Insurance Commission (NICOM), Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).
Highpoint of the event was visit by the stakeholders to the exhibition stand of MSMEs, overview of UNDP engagement with MSMEs, government agencies’ engagement with MSMEs and WIP-intellectual property for MSMEs.
End
News
NDLEA is Central to Africa’s Action Plan on Drug Control, Crime Prevention- AU Commission

NDLEA is Central to Africa’s Action Plan on Drug Control, Crime Prevention- AU Commission
By: Michael Mike
The Commission of the African Union has said the formulation of new action plan on drug control and crime prevention on the African continent would not be complete without inputs from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) because of its central role in law enforcement on the continent.

The AU Commission stated this on Monday during an assessment visit to the NDLEA’s National Headquarters in Abuja by a three-member delegation including the team lead Dr. Olubusayo Akinola, Head of Social Welfare, Drug Control and Crime Prevention; Dr. Abiola Olaleye, Senior Drug Epidemiology and Research Officer; and Prof. Johan Strijdom, Senior Drug Control Consultant.
The visit was to evaluate the African Union Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention (2019-2025).
Akinola said: “We are here to understand the status of implementation of this continental action plan on drug control and crime prevention. We are in the process of re-evaluating and starting another continental action plan that will take us from 2026 to 2030. So, we have identified a few countries to understand how this action plan was actually implemented in the member states. And if there are gaps and the new and current emerging trends that we can include.
“So, we understand very well the work of NDLEA and we believe that the formulation of the new action plan will not be finalized and concluded until we have inputs from NDLEA Nigeria, because you are basically on the forefront when it comes to law enforcement on the entire continent.”
The AU Commission delegation commended the NDLEA for its sustained provision of critical and policy-relevant data, which has significantly informed and shaped the work of the Commission over the years. The visit, according to the delegation, aimed to obtain a comprehensive update on the current status of implementation of national drug control strategies, identify operational and institutional gaps, and explor#####eiiii#ehue#pp7l#######el#e7l77#e7l7#wlAfrican##wle potential areas for technical assistance, particularly in relation to capacity development, forensic science capabilities, canine detection units, and other strategic enablers of drug control efforts.
Welcoming the delegation, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), emphasized the importance of the mission, stating that he considered it imperative to receive the team personally due to the strategic relevance of their engagement.

He said: “We are particularly pleased that the African Union is giving due weight to the implementation of the continental action plan, not merely as a theoretical exercise, but by undertaking direct field consultations with national counterparts. This grounded, evidence-informed approach will undoubtedly result in a more pragmatic and responsive framework for implementation.”
Marwa highlighted the urgency of addressing the continent’s growing drug challenge, adding that while global projections estimate a 10–11% rise in drug use prevalence, Africa is expected to experience a surge of up to 40%. “This disparity signals a looming crisis that demands coordinated and accelerated action. We deeply appreciate the AU’s leadership in this space and commend your proactive efforts,” he added.
NDLEA is Central to Africa’s Action Plan on Drug Control, Crime Prevention- AU Commission
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