…Change of baton as Imiyoho takes over as acting DG from Ibrahim
By Dele Ogbodo
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has commended the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) for fast-tracking technological acquisition into Nigeria’s technology space through its tripartite collaborative framework with the Republic of Romania and Swedish.
The Minister expressed the optimism when the Acting Director General of NOTAP, Dr. Idoreyin Imiyoho, paid the Minister a courtesy visit in company of the Managing Director of COPS Nigerian limited Mr. Simon Naoun and the Executive Director Mr. Joseph Abi Saab, at the Ministry’s Headquarter over the weekend in Abuja.
Chief Nnaji, said the partnership will no doubt usher in a high-profile technology investment in the country, through creation of wealth and jobs for Nigerians even as he commended NOTAP for the foresight and the Ministry’s full support for the partnership.
Speaking, Imiyoho, said the drive by NOTAP is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda mantra of President Bola Tinubu through the Minister to use NOTAP as a catalyst for Nigeria’s technology power house, adding that, that is the framework on the tripartite inter-governmental relationship with the Republic of Romania and Swedish Government has become overarching.
According to her, the Office was established by the Federal Government to regulate the inflow of foreign technology into the country but also has the responsibility of encouraging the development of locally motivated technologies.
She revealed that over 90% of technologies utilized in all sectors of the Nigerian economy were foreign and for a country that is desirous of becoming a major player in the global technology space, the situation was unacceptable, hence the encouragement of indigenous technological capabilities.
Imiyoho, asserted that what distinguishes developed from developing nations was technology and since technology is a product of research, NOTAP evolved some strategic programmes and projects aimed at encouraging Nigerian researchers to undertake demand-driven researches rather than the conventional research for the purposes of carrier progression.
According to her, one of such programmes was the establishment of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Offices (IPTTOs) in some Nigerian knowledge institutions across the geo-political zones of the country.
She noted that the aim was to create awareness on the importance of Intellectual Property (IP) to the economic sustainability of the nation.
She expressed joy over the partnership that is about to be entered into with COPS Nigeria Ltd, adding that no agency or government succeeds without comparing notes or sharing ideas with others.
In a remark, the COPS Managing Director said that Nigeria is their choice investment destination and are willing to provide expertise in Drone technology with an assembling plant in Nigeria, Satellite development, Scientific education tools, as well as a total investment in Research and Development (R&D).
Meanwhile, there was a change of baton in the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) as Dr. DanAzumi Ibrahim hands over the baton of leadership to Dr. Idoreyin Imiyoho, who is the most senior director in the Office and used to be Director, Technology Innovation and commercialization
Ibrahim, expressed appreciation to the management and staff of the agency for the support accorded him throughout his two-term tenure as Director General and prayed that GOD will guide the new leadership towards greater success in running the affairs of the office.
In her remarks, after the handing over, she commended the outgoing DG for the successes recorded by the Office during his tenure as DG.
She prayed GOD to guide and protect him in his future endeavors and appealed for support from management and staff of the office in her new position.
Ibrahim assumed office as DG NOTAP on the 15th of October 2015 for his first term of four years which was renewed by the then President Muhammadu Buhari on the 15th of October, 2019.
