By Seun Adams
In line with Federal Government’s efforts in promoting Science and Technology education in the country, the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has launched Technology Story Board (TSB) project while at the same time commissioned the model Chemistry Laboratory equipment and chemicals donated to the Ibadan Grammar School, Oyo State.
Speaking during the Commissioning ceremony, his the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, said that the model laboratory equipment supplied to the school was part of Federal Government’s efforts to compliment the State Government’s numerous efforts aimed at promoting teaching and learning of science based subjects in Nigerian schools.
He said that the project will go a long way in nurturing and propelling young talents into embarking on demand-driven Research and Development (R&D) activities that will add value to the scientific and technological developments of the State and the country at large.
He added that his administration’s education policy is focused on nurturing the youth to bring out the best in them through the provisions of diversified curricular, practical teaching and learning so that the inherent abilities and potentials of students will be developed.
Mankinde, appreciated NOTAP on the laudable projects and promised that the students and teachers of the school will not only positively utilize the equipment, but protect them against damage.
He used the opportunity to solicit for more support for other secondary and tertiary institutions in the State.
In his address, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NOTAP, Dr. DanAzumi Mohammed Ibrahim, who was represented by the Director, Technology Transfer and Registration, Dr. Ephraim Okejiri said that the initiative for launching of TSB and upgrading of Chemical Laboratory of Ibadan Grammar School was out of the desire to entrench Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) spirit in Nigerian schools.
He noted that no nation develops without the instrumentalities of STI hence the urgent need to equip as many Nigerian science secondary schools with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment to facilitate practical teaching and learning at young age.
He added that major educational foundation is laid at the secondary school and when a child misses the basic rudiments of science in secondary schools, then it becomes difficult to adopt.
Ibrahim stated that NOTAP, was established to regulate the inflow of foreign technology into the country but also has the responsibility to encourage and promote the development of locally motivated technologies. He added that as a regulatory establishment, the Office observed a gap between the academia and the industry and for a country that is desirous of becoming a major player in global technology market place, such situation was unacceptable and needed to be urgently addressed.
He noted that in order to bridge the gap between the academia and industry, the Office in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2006 midwife the establishment of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Offices (IPTTO) in some Nigerian knowledge institutions. He noted that the idea was to ensure that Nigerian researchers focused more on demand driven research rather than engaging in conventional research for the purposes of career progression.
The DG further stated that before the establishment of IPTTOs in Nigerian tertiary institutions, the culture of Intellectual Property (IP) was weak.
He said that it is the intention of the Office to extend the project of Chemical Laboratory upgrade to many secondary schools across the geo-political zones of the Country subject to availability of funds.
In his goodwill message, the National President of Ibadan Grammar School Old Students Association, Mr. Demeji Mako, who was represented by the Vice President, Mr. Balogun Gaphar Ojetola, said that NOTAP had over the years demonstrated capacity and interest in ensuring the growth of Science and technology education in Nigeria through its impactful projects and programmes.
He said that the old students association of Ibadan Grammar School, the Management of the school and the State government will remain eternally grateful to NOTAP for upgrading the Chemistry Laboratory of the School which was built by the old students as a way of giving back to the system.
He assured NOTAP that the equipment will surely be of immense benefit to the school, adding that the old students association are seeking for collaborators like NOTAP in the area of scholarships.
Signed: Raymond Onyenezi Ogbu.