The task, therefore, is for
the government, universities, research institutes and other relevant
stakeholders of the Nigerian Project to do something worthwhile to launch
Nigeria into the technological age. There is always a starting point and the
process has to be set in motion with the right political will as well as
determination to make appropriate material investment. The statement made the
other day by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gabriel Olonisakin, a General, who submitted that the country could
not continue to depend entirely on foreign technology to tackle its security
challenges is very comforting. He appropriately examined at a research and
development seminar the prospects of the maximization of our potentials for
self-reliance in weapons for the Air Force through innovation and local
partnership. The hope is that this frank review of affairs will be backed with
action.
Instructively, the defence
chief not only lamented a lack of synergy as the basis of technological and
industrial backwardness being experienced but also proffered a way out:
collaboration between the military, academia and technocrats and industrialists
towards harnessing the country’s endowments (including world-class
professionals spread across the globe). Other input which supported the CDS
position were no less instructive: home-based technology is a sure way to
acquiring immunity against the vagaries of international intrigues of defence
in security business.
For decades, Nigeria,
especially with its acclaimed pool of top-rated academics and researchers in
science and technology, has never lacked attempts at research and development.
Again, the problem is the leadership which has to be keen on the pursuit of
technological advancement with the will to fund it.
It is gratifying that the
armed forces have become the leading lights of the initiative to jumpstart
research and development efforts. But then, it is a well-established fact that
several technological breakthroughs in contemporary world have roots in
military attempts. From wherever the initiative flows, however, military,
academia or industry, it is high time the country took the chance to be counted
among the countries making an entry into the elite league with a globally
respected local technology.
Still on the Nigerian
military, credit must go to the armed forces for the laudable efforts of the
Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), the Air Force and the Naval
research and development departments which reports say still pursue interesting
creative exploits. They can do more with the collaborative efforts of other
relevant institutions. Besides, government must be fully supportive of these productive
capacities by funding them very well in the same way as any other institution
pushing for the best.
In like manner, efforts of
academics of old like the late Professor
Ayodele Awojobi of the University of Lagos in the design of a Nigerian car,
Autonov 1; award-winning Professor Ebenezer
Meshida on roads technology and many more in universities or various
institutions as well as by Nigerians home and abroad are worth acknowledging.
Advancing research in local technology in the field of communication tools can
also assist the armed forces in the insurgency battle in the northeast in
particular and war on terrorism in the country generally. The country has to
support the best brains, which make themselves available for service.
The pool of Nigerian
researchers, scientists and technologists making waves abroad is massive,
revealing and inspiring. The government, through some departments and agencies,
can tap into these resources in the service of the nation. Many of them would
be more than willing to collaborate with researchers at home, with proper
funding and encouragement. The government must be ready to do just that and
prove that the era of indifference to creativity or innovation is over. A new
day must be allowed to break in research and development for the greater good
of the country. (guardian)
No comments:
Post a Comment