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

Published

10 months ago

March 31, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

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

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Nigeria Congratulates Trump on inauguration as 47th President of US

Published

6 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Nigeria Congratulates Trump on inauguration as 47th President of US

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Republic of Nigeria has congratulated President Donald Trump following his successful inauguration as the 47th President of the United States of America.

The Nigerian government in a statement by acting spokesperson of the ministry of foreign affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa said: “Nigeria and the United States of America have enjoyed cooperation in diverse areas of mutual interest, especially in the promotion of good governance, sustainable development, and the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.”

The statement added that: “Nigeria therefore looks forward to further strengthening our historic, strong, and vibrant strategic partnership for the benefit of all our people.”

Nigeria Congratulates Trump on inauguration as 47th President of US

International

Saudi Arabia Sponsors 20 Nigerian on Pilgrimage

Published

6 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Saudi Arabia Sponsors 20 Nigerian on Pilgrimage

By: Michael Mike

Twenty Nigerians are being sponsored by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Programme for Umrah 2025.

They are expected to perform the lesser hajj (Umrah) in Saudi Arabia fully sponsored by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

A press statement on Tuesday in Abuja by the Embassy of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Abuja read: “As part of its dedication to promoting Islamic unity and facilitating access to Islam’s most sacred sites for Muslims around the world, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Embassy in Abuja hosted a grand farewell ceremony for 20 Nigerian pilgrims selected for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Programme for Umrah 2025.

“The ceremony held under the leadership of His Excellency Faisal bin Ibrahim Al-Ghamdi, Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, highlighted the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to supporting Muslims and fostering spiritual connections through pilgrimage.

“The programme, initiated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, provides Muslims from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to perform Umrah with full sponsorship, symbolising Saudi Arabia’s role as the spiritual heart of the Islamic world.”

In his keynote address, Ambassador Al-Ghamdi expressed profound gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their steadfast dedication to Islam’s holy sites.

He praised their exceptional leadership in enhancing the services provided to pilgrims and ensuring that their journey to the sacred sites is both spiritually fulfilling and logistically seamless.

He said: “The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince have prioritised the well-being of pilgrims, viewing it as a sacred duty and an immense honor. Through this programme and other initiatives, Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen bonds of brotherhood among Muslims while ensuring their comfort and safety during their spiritual journey.”

Ambassador Al-Ghamdi revealed that the Kingdom had invested over $100 billion in the recent expansion and modernisation of the Two Holy Mosques. According to him, these ambitious projects, encompassing state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced crowd management systems, and cutting-edge technology, reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to accommodating the increasing number of pilgrims visiting Mecca and Medina each year.

He added that the Kingdom spares no effort in mobilising resources to improve the pilgrimage experience for all Muslims.
He also emphasized the importance of adhering to the Kingdom’s laws and regulations, designed to maintain order and ensure the safety and comfort of all pilgrims.

“The leadership of Saudi Arabia remains fully committed to serving the guests of God. This is a responsibility we hold dear, and we continuously strive to enhance the spiritual and logistical aspects of the pilgrimage experience,” he said.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Programme has become a symbol of the Kingdom’s efforts to unite Muslims worldwide and facilitate access to the holiest sites in Islam. Each year, the initiative provides thousands of pilgrims with the opportunity to perform Umrah, covering all costs, including travel, accommodation, and other logistics.

The guests expressed their sincere thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect him, for this generous hospitality provided by the Kingdom’s leadership in serving Islam and Muslims and serving the House of God and the Holy Land.

Saudi Arabia Sponsors 20 Nigerian on Pilgrimage

News

Zulum Decorated With Peace Studies Society Fellowship

Published

6 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Zulum Decorated With Peace Studies Society Fellowship

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has been decorated with the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) fellowship.

The decoration on Monday at the Government House in Maiduguri by the society’s president, Nathaniel Awuapila, assisted by Professor Isaac Albert, who represented the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Zulum is a fellow of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE), and the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA). He has received honorary fellowships from the National Postgraduate Medical College and the Environmental Management Association of Nigeria (EMAN).

Responding, Governor Babagana Zulum expressed his gratitude for the honour and assured his commitment to partnering with the society to achieve sustainable peace and development in the region.

He noted that the non-kinetic measures adopted by the government had yielded positive results, highlighting that over 200,000 repentant insurgents and their families had surrendered to the authorities.

The brief occasion was attended by the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Dr. Bukar Tijani; the Head of Services, Barrister Mallam Fannami; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Executive Governor, Dr. Babagana Malumbe; the Vice President of the SPSP, Professor Jude Momodu; the Secretary General of the SPSP, Dr. Lanre Yusuf; members of the Borno State Executive Council; and Senior Government officials, among others.

Meanwhile, the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) has announced a plan to commission a study on the positive impact of the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum.

The President of the Society, Nathaniel Awuapila, stated this earlier during the visit to the Governor in Maiduguri.

He said: “Your Excellency is no exaggeration by any means when we speak on behalf of SPSP to say that around the Sahel, you are a model. A model in post-conflict reconstruction, a model in managing post-conflict societies. A model in peacebuilding and development. These are qualities that we have seen demonstrated as we observed what has happened in Borno over the years and even in infrastructural development.”

He also stated that “the society has decided to commission a study. We have asked the question, How is this possible? Those questions are on the lips of people who get to know what is happening in Borno. We will commission a study to see how your contribution impacted the people and could become a model for people to study around the Sahel and indeed globally.”

Speaking earlier, Professor Albert commended Zulum for the laudable projects he executed across parts of Borno. He said, “We are not here, sir, really to honour you but to honour ourselves, to attach ourselves to some of the things you have achieved, and to say that we are proud of you.”

He added, “We have gone around the state and seen some of the projects that you have done. This is not the first time we have seen this project. We saw them in magazines and newspapers, and we physically saw the projects; we touched them.”

Zulum Decorated With Peace Studies Society Fellowship