By Seun Adams
The Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering infrastructure (NASENI) Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna has reemphasized the commitment of the agency to lead the industrial revolution course of Nigeria through introduction of research and development of technology outcomes leading to fabrication of machines, equipment and technology need of the country to kickstart industrialization.
This is coming even as the Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, performed the ground-breaking and foundation laying ceremony of NASENI’s new Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI) located in Obudu, Cross River State.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved six (6) new Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institutes, one per geo-political zone of the country, in addition to six other Industrial Machinery and Equipment Development Institutes also located in various geo-political zones of the country.
Haruna, during his remarks at the occasion of the ground-breaking ceremony said the event was “not only to lay the foundation of the institute but it was an opportunity for NASENI to commend the Governor for his unflinching support for NASENI and the relentless efforts to revolutionize agriculture of Cross River State, leadership and the general motivation which the Governor gave other states on the need for the industrialization of the country.
The EVC remarked that the institute is not an ordinary institute but a specialized one to research, develop, manufacture, and to introduce mechanization of farming. He said farming and agricultural practice become easy with cultivation, planting, harvesting. The machines and equipment to be produced in the Institute are expected to be high-tech to make the people grow agricultural yields up to three times all year round unlike now when farming is done only once, so that the people can have increased harvests annually.
According to Haruna: “Technology and internet of Things (IOT) are the basis, methods and instruments of modern farming beyond use of hoes and cutlass and other ancient practices. From increased yields leading to high farming income, to improve living conditions of practitioners, there is need to adapt new farming implements, process and introduction of appropriate mechanization. The level of improvement of the socio-economic life of the people is a direct consequent of their productivity or otherwise, he explained. He, said these technology gaps are the purpose for which NASENI Agricultural Institute Obudu and other similar Institutes in Lafia, Mbutu Abom-Mbaise are expected to fill.
The President of the Wildlife Society of Nigeria Prof. Augustine Ogodo, who was the Chairman of the Occasion thanked President Buhari for returning the country to the part of genuine industrialization with the establishment of 6 new AMEDIs.
Ogodo, said the nation has no alternative than to return to Agricultural mechanization as the precursor for genuine industrialization. He said it was no longer wise for Nigeria to continue to sell its produce as raw materials to foreigners without value addition through processing of raw materials into intermediate products in order to bring higher income to Agricultural practitioners.
The Governor while performing the Institute’s block-laying ceremony thanked President Buhari, saying that “Agro industries are the foundation of Industrialization and without Agricultural development, such efforts will be hampered. In Cross River State, we have already started industrial revolution.” he said.
The Governor however commended NASENI for championing the course of churning out machines, equipment and agricultural tools that are required to run a functional Agric sector.
About 500 NASENI Save 80 Efficient Cooking Stove were handed over to women in Cross River State during the occasion. The environment friendly Stove is essentially to save the environment from deforestation and desertification. The products were also distributed to alleviate the sufferings of women in the rural areas who could not afford the high costs of energy to prepare meals for their families.