By Mohammed Mohammed
In a move to demystify the notion and belief that technology is arcane while at the same time stimulating and infusing the interest for science courses on the Nigeria school Children, the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has launched Technology Story Board (TSB) project in Gombe State for the Northeast zone.
The launching of TSB in Gombe is in continuation of the zonal launching of the project in the six geopolitical zones which started with North West in Katsina in 2020
TSB is a pictorial or graphical step by step representation of production processes from the raw materials stage to a finished product. The project was initiated by NOTAP in 2014 as a strategic means of popularizing Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) among younger Nigerians at the basic school level. However, the national launching of the TSB took place in 2015 in FCT, Abuja.
Speaking at the launch, the Director General of NOTAP Dr. DanAzumi Mohammed Ibrahim said that TSB is a carefully and consciously drafted programme by NOTAP in collaboration with some production companies to dymistify technology through pictorial illustration of product manufacturing processes for easier understanding and appreciation by the Nigerian Children.
He stated that the project is targgeted at young Nigerians at secondary and primary school levels whose interest may aroused by the product production pictures displyed on their school walls to appreciate science subjects. He noted that there is low patronage of science subjects by Nigerian students, adding that for any nation to be economically independent, its youths must wholistically embrace Science and Technology.
The Director General reietrated the importance of the programme to the technological growth of our nation, adding that the philosophy behind the project is that when Children go through the technology story board for six years, there is likelyhood of them developing interest in sciences.
Dr. Ibrahim used the opportunity to appreciate the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation, Gombe State, Dr. Aisatu Umar Maigari for her passion and interest in bringing development to Gombe state through collaboration with relevant government establishments.
He further buttressed on the need for researchers to embark on a demand driven research instead of conventional research that doesn’t translate into product and services but only end up in shelves.
The DG expressed optimism in the ability of Nigerian researchers to move their research and development (R&D) findings to the market by undertaking demand driven researches to ensure a steady economic development of the country. He added that the Nigerian knowledge establishiments are cruicial to the journey of Nigeria’s technological development.
Earlier in his welcome address, the executive governor of the host State, his Excellency Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya who was represented by his deputy Manassah Jatau said TSB project by NOTAP is a welcome development as it will help to arouse the curiosity about science among the younger generation especially at the basic school levels.
He applauded the DG of NOTAP for considering Gombe worthy to benefit from this unique educational tool, adding that the Intellectual Property Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO) established in the state university by NOTAP has increased the sensitization and awareness among innovators and inventors in the state on the need to protect their intellectual asset before throwing them to the public place.
The governor expressed delight in the TSB which according to him, has huge potential benefits not only to Gombe State Children but all Nigerians as it will catapault the country into economic prosperity. He stated that as a country that aspires to grow technologically, we must support, promote and encourage innovations, inventions and other skills that emanate from our local industries.
He said that there is urgent need for Ministries, department, relevant agencies of the government to have a robust partnership with the state so as to enhance effective implementation of TSB and create greater synergy to deploy STI as an instrument for national development.
He then appealed to the organized private sector to explore ways to partner with Gombe state government to commercialize its R&D results that the government has come up with for the overall development of our society.
