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By Sunday Ani
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has commended the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) for its efforts in improving technical teaching and learning in Nigerian secondary schools.
This was contained in a statement by NOTAP’s head of public relations and protocol unit, Raymond Ogbu.
Speaking at the commissioning of a chemistry laboratory equipment and chemicals donated by NOTAP to Akpugo High School, Akpugo, Nkanu-West Local Government of Enugu State, the Minister commended the Office for understanding the importance of sound technical education to the development of science, technology and innovation, hence its efforts at upgrading chemistry laboratories in secondary schools across the country.
He noted that even though the agency was established to regulate the inflow of foreign technologies through the registration of technology transfer agreements, it also has the duty of encouraging the development and domestication of indigenous technologies. He stressed that NOTAP over the years, had observed lack of interest in science and technology-related subjects by the Nigerian students and for a nation to be competitive in the global arena technologically, there must be a solid technical and practical education foundation to groom the critical skilled manpower for sustainable development.
He noted that no nation develops without heavily investing in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), adding, “it was on that premise of the importance of STI that NOTAP thought it imperative to equip some secondary schools with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment.” Recalling that the major education foundation is laid at the secondary school level, he stressed that when a child misses the basic rudiments of science in secondary school, it would be difficult for the child to cope in science related courses. He thanked NOTAP for being strategic in revamping the educational sector through its impactful programmes and projects in schools and promised continued support to the actualisation of its mandate.
Earlier in her welcome speech, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NOTAP, Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, decried the country’s dependence on foreign technologies, describing it as unacceptable for a nation that is desirous of being one of the top 20 economies in the world.
She explained that the project, “Model Chemistry Laboratory Equipment Upgrade,” was initiated by NOTAP in 2018 to ensure that basic practical science and technology are taught in secondary schools. The project aims to catch them young and accelerate the country’s technological development.
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Dr. Amadiobi noted that meaningful development cannot occur without the strategic deployment of science and technology instruments.
She emphasised the urgent need to equip the nation’s educational infrastructure at the secondary school level with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment to facilitate practical teaching and learning.
She informed the gathering that the commissioning of the Akpugo High School laboratory was the eighth in the series. She said NOTAP was committed to upgrading more chemistry laboratories across the country and required support from critical stakeholders.
She urged the school to make judicious use of the equipment. She also appreciated Chief Nnaji for his unwavering support to NOTAP.
In his goodwill message, the Enugu State Commissioner Education, represented by the Director of Higher and Science/Technical Education, Mrs. Nenna Okenwa described education as the bedrock of development, especially when it is rooted in science foundation.
She said the Enugu Government under the leadership of Governor Peter Ndubisi Mba has taken educational development to another level through the smart school initiative and other educational projects.
She thanked the Federal Government for upgrading the Akpugo High School laboratory and urged it to extend the same gesture to other schools in the state.
