Tinubu pledges full commitment to funding research, devt
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President Bola Tinubu has pledged his administration’s commitment to fostering science and development in the country.
The president also directed the establishment of the National Research Fund, which will serve as a mainstay for development in Nigeria.
President Tinubu spoke on Thursday, March 7, during his investiture as Grand Patron of the Nigerian Academy of Science, held at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja.
President Tinubu, who expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasised the critical role that science plays in shaping the future of the nation, adding that no nation will achieve its desired development without transformative research.
He said: “I believe without great research and development no nation can develop to achieve a desire.”
He, however, said his administration will give direct support to research and development in Nigeria, through government policies, programmes, and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The president said: “Paying attention to research, science, and development is a commitment that I will continue to support directly and through various government policies and programs, through our ministries of science and technology, health, education, and related ministries will be mobilized.
President Tinubu further appreciated the gesture of the Academy of Science for decorating him as its grand patron.
He said: “I have, with a sense of gratitude, accepted your gesture of investiture as Grand Patron of Science.”
In her remarks, the President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof. Ekanem Braide said national problems are to be conclusively addressed in Nigeria there is a need for healthy collaboration between the centre, the government, industries and the community.
Prof. Braide said that there will be effective research translation via this means thereby transmitting research output from laboratories and workshops to inform policies and practices.
He said: “For National problems to be conclusively addressed there is a need for healthy collaboration between the centres, government, industries and community in a quadruple helix arrangement, way there will be effective research translation, that is the movement of research output from the laboratories, workshops to inform policies and practice.”
Braide applauded the administration of President Tinubu for recognising the need for Nigeria to move towards a knowledge-based economy, she disclosed that the academy is currently working with the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning on the review of documents that would aid urgent interventions for national development.
She added: “We commend the administration of President Tinubu for truly recognizing the need for Nigeria to move towards a knowledge-based economy, we are reviewing the national planning document through the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and we are advising necessary interventions required urgently for national development
“We have been informed that the President had directed that steps be taken to set up a national research fund.”
The President of the Academy of Science called for collaboration between centres thereby deploying, science, technology, and innovation to tackle major socio-economic problems facing Nigeria.
She stated: “There is a need for healthy collaboration between centres, Nigeria like many African countries is plagued by a numb of major problems that negatively impact on socio-economic development of the country most of these problems can be addressed through the application of science and technology and innovation.”
Braide stated that the Nigeria Academy of Science believes that the 263 universities, 84 polytechnics and 205 Colleges of Education, will be an upscale of community services in the institution’s host communities that will impact and result in the economic sustainable development of Nigeria.
She said: “It is our belief that the 263, universities 84polytechnics, 205 Colleges of Education there will be upscale of community services in their host communities there will be a positive impact and sustainable economic recovery and development in Nigeria will be achieved faster.”
Braide along with the Vice President, Prof. Abubakar Sambo, and Professor Olatunde Farounmbi, amongst others, decorated President Tinubu as the Grand Patron of the Academy.
In attendance were, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono; the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.
Others were the Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate; Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu and a few others.
By Bolaji Ogundele
https://thenationonlineng.net/tinubu-pledges-full-commitment-to-funding-research-devt/