By Dele Ogbodo
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Halilu, on Wednesday called on Nigerians to patronise Made-in-Nigeria products as according to him, it is only through such patriotic zeal that Nigeria will become an industrial powerhouse.
This is coming even as the Agency is showcasing it’s indigenously developed technological products and innovations at the ongoing 19th Abuja International Trade Fair holding at the Abuja Trade and Convention, Abuja.
The EVC who was represented by his Director of Information, New Media and Protocol, Mr. Segun Ayeoyenikan, at the 2024 Trade Fair organized by Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), said the event is a means to demonstrates it’s overarching principle of Creation, Collaboration and Commercialization (3Cs) and to showcase some of its latest technological and innovative prowess to Nigerians and the world.
At the NASENI stand are all the its 12 Development Institutes, including NASENI Solar Energy Ltd(NSEL), a limited liability company owned by the Agency, having their products and technologies exhibited at this year’s trade fair. On display at the fair are: NASENI Transformer, NASENI CNG Conversion Centre, Utako, Abuja, NASENI Solar CCTV, Automatic Change Over Switch, Solar Kit Trainer, Science kits, Rotary Furnace, Digital Roadsign, Animal Feeds machine, Science Automatic Model, and many more.
Halidu, acknowledged that the Agency never fails to showcase, whenever the opportunity presents itself, its numerous products and technologies that it has developed, aimed at transforming the economy of Nigeria in line with NASENI’s mandate and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Agency.
“The purpose and aim of this event is to promote NASENI technologies/products and its research institutes nationwide, and also a means of advertisement to the world at large. The general goals/objectives of this participation cannot be overemphasized as this will create more awareness about the NASENI brand and increase patronage for the Agency.
“During our previous participation, we exhibited research products and innovation to stakeholders, SMEs and the general public. We won several awards and also secured engagements with stakeholders and technology end-users which are indications that NASENI had created a niche for itself in this important event,” he said.
Furthermore, he noted that NASENI is the only purposely built Agency of the Federal Government with the mandate to carry out research and development(R&D), production, reverse engineering and actual manufacturing in the areas of capital goods, machines, spares and equipment, to make the economy of the country possess home-grown capacities for genuine industrialization and sustainable development.
“Under the indefatigable leadership of Halilu as EVC/CEO in the last one year, you will agree with me that the Mandate of NASENI to fuel innovation for Nigeria’s industrialization has further received enormous impetus.
“NASENI has been transformed for better service delivery, and more focus on accelerated technology transfers and domestication of technologies has taken the centre stage in our operations, leading to the achievements of more products and technologies to be handed over to SMEs and other end-users,” he added.
This year’s theme: “Mobility: Options for Transportation, Trade Finance and Transportation”, is playing host to more than 500 exhibitors showcasing more than 10,000 products, solutions and services to more than 100,000 participants and visitors.