…Commends PZ Cussons for bankrolling the upgrade of 10 laboratories nationwide with N700 million
By Hillary Asemota
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has commended the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) and the PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, for their synergy in robustly promoting critical and demand-driven research in the Nigerian Universities and research establishments through the NOTAP-Industry Research Laboratory Upgrade (NIRLUP) scheme.
Speaking at the commissioning of the upgraded Chemistry Laboratory of the University of Jos, Plateau State on Tuesday, the Minister who was represented by the Director General of NOTAP, Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, expressed deep concern over the level of research carried out in the Nigerian knowledge establishment due to insufficient research laboratories.
He particularly commended PZ Cussons for sponsoring the upgrade of 8 Chemistry and Chemical Laboratories of selected Universities and Research Institutions in Nigeria which according to him has increased not only the level of credible research undertakings, but also the enthusiasm of the Nigerian researchers.
The Head Public Relations and Protocol Unit of NOTAP, Mr. Solomon Nshem, in a statement signed on behalf by Mr. Raymond Ogbu, quoted the Minister as saying that the partnership was midwife when NOTAP in its monitoring exercise, observed a disconnect between the industry and national system of innovation (NSI).
This according to him, led to lack of confidence in our graduates and research capability by the industry which has resulted in the industry running to their parent companies abroad for critical research and laboratory analyses.
He further stated that in order to address the identified weaknesses and bridge the gap between the academia and Industry, NOTAP came up with a number of Industry partnership initiatives which includes NOTAP-Industry Research Laboratory Upgrade.
He however expressed dissatisfaction that since the commencement of the programme, only PZ Cussons has keyed into it spending over N700,000.000 in upgrading ten laboratories upgraded and commissioned out of which, including UNIJOS has been fully upgraded and commissioned.
In her remarks, the Director General of NOTAP, said that the synergy between the Office and PZ Cussons is a demonstration of the power in Public Private Partnership (PPP) to the socio-economic development of the nation.
She stated that the NOTAP-Industry Research Laboratory Upgrade initiative came into effect in order to bridge the gap between the academia and industry by carrying out credible and industrial need-base research for the advancement of the industry. She emphasized that as an industry player, PZ Cussons understands their challenges, hence the equipment donated to the knowledge institutions are state-of-the-act laboratory equipment that will sharpen the skills of the students in conducting and delivering globally acceptable research results.
Amadiobi, further stated that since the introduction of the programme, only PZ Cussons has shown interest, she used the opportunity to call on other multinational companies to join hands with the PZ Cussons Nigerian Plc in ensuring that more Nigerian schools benefit from the gesture as the impact is already being felt by both the beneficiaries and the benefactor.
She expressed delight on the favourable dispositions of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology in supporting NOTAP and by encouraging the partnership which according to her, has yielded significant results in critical knowledge acquisition especially in science related fields across the geopolitical zones of the Country.
The DG equally used the avenue to appreciate the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos for his support and enthusiasm in fast-tracking the commissioning of the upgraded Laboratory and also for the warm reception and hospitality.
In his good will message, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PZ Cusson Nigerian Plc, Mr. Dimitris Kostianis, represented by Mr. Samson Moju, Head Corporate Service and Project African leadership team said that PZ Cussons is ready and willing to continue to advance critical research in Nigeria through its commitment to upgrading laboratories of Nigerian knowledge institutions. He said that the company’s relationship with NOTAP has gone beyond rhetoric as PZ is currently in partnership with three major projects. According to him, apart from the NOTAP-Industry Research Laboratory Upgrade (NIRLUP), the company is also involved in NOTAP-Industry Technology Transfer Fellowship (NITTF) as well as Technology Story Board initiative
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, expressed joy for the realization of their dream.
He said that the equipment came at the nick of time when the accreditation team came to the University for the accreditation of additional courses and all the sources were based on the equipment the accreditation team saw, adding that the partnership is a wonderful experience.
