By Dwelleth Morountodun
The Director General of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. DanAzumi Mohammed Ibrahim has said that the Technology Story Board (TSB) initiative of NOTAP is capable of fast-tracking the development of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in Nigeria.
The DG who was represented by the Director Consultancy Services of NOTAP, Dr. Adamu Tandama, made the statement in his opening address recently at Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, during the South-south zonal launching of the Technology Story Board project.
The launching of TSB in Uyo, according to Mr. Raymond Ogbu, of NOTAP media and Communications in a statement he signed on behalf of NOTAP Management, said is in continuation of the zonal launching of the project in the 6 geopolitical zones of the country which started with North-west in Katsina in 2020. However, the national launching of the TSB took place in 2015 in FCT, Abuja.
He said that TSB is a pictorial or graphical step by step representation of product production processes from the raw materials stage to a finished product. He added that 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.
Ibrahim said that TSB is a carefully and consciously drafted programme by NOTAP in collaboration with some multinational companies to demystify technology through pictorial illustration of product manufacturing processes for easier understanding and appreciation by the Nigerian Children.
He stated that the project is targeted at young Nigerians at secondary and primary school levels whose interest may be aroused by the product production pictures displayed 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 holistically embrace Science and Technology.
The Director General reiterated the importance of the programme to the technological growth of the Country, adding that the philosophy behind the project is that when Children go through the technology story board for a number of years, there is a likelihood of them developing interest in sciences.
Ibrahim expressed his appreciation to the Commissioner for, Science and Technology, Bayelsa State, Dr. Promise Ekio for attending the programme in person, adding that his participation at the programme was a demonstration of the unalloyed commitment of the state government to the development STI in Bayelsa and Nigeria at large.
He said that NOTAP had embarked on a number of projects geared toward the popularization and development of STI in the Country. He sighted NOTAP Industry Technology Transfer Fellowship (NITTF) as one of such programmes that the Office had initiated, adding that NITTF was a programme designed in collaboration with the industry to offer scholarship to talented Nigerians to undertake PhD programmes. He said that the programme was tailored to ensure that the research topics of the beneficiaries must emanate from the sponsoring companies in order to either solve certain production challenges or to introduce new products.
In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Bayelsa State, Dr. Promise Ekio expression appreciation to NOTAP for the laudable project which according to him, will no doubt advance the development of science and technology in the Country. He said that TSB project by NOTAP is a welcome development as it will help to arouse the curiosity about science among the younger generation and should be supported by the Federal Government to ensure a wider spread of the TSB materials.
Signed: Raymond Onyenezi Ogbu.
