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Science & Tech

NOTAP charges Nigerian professionals to take advantage of Executive Order 5

NOTAP charges Nigerian professionals to take advantage of Executive Order 5

Tolu Aiyegbusi

Professionals

Abuja, Dec. 30, 2022 (NAN)The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has urged Nigerian professionals in the fields of science and technology to take advantage of the opportunities offered by Executive Order No5 (E05).

The DG NOTAP, Dr DanAzumi Ibrahim gave the charge in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria on Friday, in Abuja.

He said Nigerian Professionals would compete globally if they tapped into the benefits of Executive Order after it’s implementation.

Ibrahim said that the order was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on 2nd February, 2018 to set the nation on the path of viable and sustainable economic growth.

According to him, the order is to ensure that all procuring authorities give preference to Nigerian companies in award of contracts, in line with the Publix Procurement Act 2007.

“ The order ensures rapid transformation using the instruments and platforms of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).

“ The order also prevents the Ministry of Interior from issuing expatriate visas to foreigners who intend to come to Nigeria to undertake jobs that Nigerians have the competencies and capacities to undertake,”Ibrahim said.

He stated that the president in addition, directed MDAs to engage indigenous professionals in the planning, design and execution of national security projects.

He added, “where expertise is lacking, procuring entities will give preference to foreign companies/firms with demonstrable and verifiable plans for indigenous skills development prior to the award of such contracts.

“In ensuring the implementation of the order, NOTAP developed an interactive platform on its website to avail Nigerian professionals at home and in diaspora the opportunity of registering their profiles.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

TOLU/BRM

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

 

 

Science & Tech

Local content: NOTAP to partner Nigerian Academy of Science

Local content: NOTAP to partner Nigerian Academy of Science

NAN

Partnership

Tolu Aiyegbusi

Abuja,23 Dec. 2022 (NAN)  The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), is set to collaborate with Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), in other to increase local content and encourage economic sustainability in Nigeria.

The DG NOTAP, Dr DanAzumi Ibrahim, while addressing a delegation from the academy led by its President, Prof. Ekanem Brande, on Friday in Abuja.

The DG said that such strategic partnerships boosted socio-economic development.

Ibrahim said that the visit was in line with the matching orders given by President Muhammadu Buhari on the implementation of Executive Order 5 which he signed into law in Feb, 2018.

“The order was to ensure that all procuring authorities shall give preference to Nigerian companies and firms in award of contracts, in line with the Public Procurement Act 2007.

“The order prevents the Ministry of Interior from issuing expatriate visas to foreigners who intend to come to undertake jobs that Nigerians have the competencies and capacities to undertake,’’ he said.

Ibrahim added that the Nigerian Scientists and Engineers were well positioned to take advantage of the order for economic sustainability of the country.

He said that NOTAP had initiated several programmes that will benefit members of the academy, such as interventions in patenting of Research and Development (R&D) results as well as inventions for Nigerian researchers.

Ibrahim said : ”Members of NAS are to submit claims of their inventions to NOTAP for assistance in patenting them free.’’

Earlier in her speech, Brande said the academy was the foremost independent science body in Nigeria, established in 1977 but incorporated in 1986 to develop and advance STI.

She stated that the academy worked closely with the Nigerian government to bring scientific knowledge to bear on the policies, as well as the strategic direction of the country.

“The academy is also the third oldest academy on the African continent and a founding member of the Network of African Science academies (NASAC).

“The academy has a working relationship with academies across Africa and globally as well as other organizations and it had successfully implemented projects with many of them.

“As with national academies in other countries, NAS is a not-for-profit organization,’’ she said.

Brande commended the DG for his presentation adding that the various activities NOTAP was involved in were also in line with the mandates of NAS. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

TOLU/BRM

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Science & Tech

FG awards patent certificates to 19 researchers, inventors

  1. FG awards patent certificates to 19 researchers, inventors

NAN

Tolu Aiyegbusi

Farmers

Nasarawa, Dec. 1, 2022 (NAN) The Federal Government has awarded patent certificates to 19 researchers for their various inventions and innovations in addressing economic problems.

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Adeleke Mamora, presented the certificates to the beneficiaries on Thursday in Abuja.

The presentation was organised by the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).

Mamora described the event as a boost to research, industrialisation and development in the country.

He praised NOTAP for delivering on its mandate by providing an efficient process for the acquisition and domestication of foreign technologies.

The minister urged beneficiaries to create an impact for the FG’s Economic Sustainability Plan where researches were translated to production activities and create jobs for youth.

“ Nigerian innovators, researchers and scientists should improve on their ability to protect their intellectual properties through the help of NOTAP.

”The recipients should make more efforts to move their Research and Development results to be available in the market, which would boost the nation’s overall socio-economic fortunes,” he said.

Mamora added that for any economy to strengthen its intellectual properties, it must increase its investment in Research and Development (R and D).

He called for improved partnership between the private sector and research communities to reduce the nation’s dependence on oil.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director-General of NOTAP, Dr DanAzumi Ibrahim, said, ”for any economy to become independent, there is the need for capacity building.

“For any nation to become economically independent, we have to develop the necessary capacities, they are the human resources God has given us.

“ In the process, we realise the gap between us and developing nations is wide and it is important to bridge it.

”Doing so depends on our capacity to convert our raw materials into products and services, and food supply.

Ibrahim said: “We don’t need to import anything into the country, but to export and make income from other nation.”

The D-G added that no nation that was aspiring to become economically independent would fold its arms and allow its economy to collapse.

He also said that more than 90 per cent of the technologies that powered the Nigerian economy were imported technologies.

“ No nation can do it alone, scientists are expected to come up with technologies that should be able to assist Nigeria improve the quality of life of our citizens,” he said.

Ibrahim added that the private sector and research communities had responsibilities to come together to see how the country can grow into economic prosperity.

“We see the quantum amount that leaves this country as licensing fees, this should inspire our intervention,” he said.

NAN reports that some of the innovations were based on renewable energy, military hardware and election monitoring.

Some of the beneficiary institutions included the research and development arms of University of Ilorin, Nigerian Airforce, Ekiti University, Yaba College of Technology and Scientific Development Institute. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

TOLU/BRM
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

 

 

 

Science & Tech

NOTAP to advance African Science and Technology through partnerships

NOTAP to advance African Science and Technology through partnerships

 

 

 

By Tolu Aiyegbusi

 

 

 

Abuja, Sept. 30, 2022 (NAN) The Director-General (DG), National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) Dr DanAzumi Ibrahim, said the office was set to advance Science and Technology in Africa through partnerships.

 

Ibrahim stated this on Friday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) and Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA), on a working visit.

 

Ibrahim, who emphasized the need for synergies between African countries for the overall development of the whole African continent, said that no African country can do it alone.

 

The D-G siad: ”You see, the whole world is driven by knowledge, we have capacities in African continent and African countries seem to have similar problems,

 

”The developed nations always want to capitalise and squeeze the developing countries for their own developing strategies.

” So, where we have Africans assisting Africans, the cost of development will be less.

 

”So, relationships between African countries to help one another will be much more enduring than the relationship between the developed and developing nations.”

 

Ibrahim urged that Africa must embrace the culture of innovation for sustainable economic development, ” because the difference between developed and developing countries is advancement in technology.”

Earlier, leader of the delegation and Director-General DTCA, Mr Rabiu Dagari, said two top research fellows from AISA were in NOTAP to seek collaboration on continental science, technology and innovation development.

 

He said the visit held much promise for the rapid development of South Africa, Nigeria and the continent when a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was put in place.

 

“ Advancing STI is an area which is critical for economic liberation, good governance and the much-needed security for the continent,’’ he said.

 

The Director of Research AISA, Dr Thokozami Simelone, said the visit was to reinforce the bilateral ties with Nigeria to save Africa from being backward technological wise.

 

He added that with synergized efforts the nations in Africa would move forward and not be left behind.

 

“ Certainly, the continent would be strengthened and there are pillars that are actually contained in the agenda 2063, of which some of them entail the industrialization of the continent.

 

“ It also entails the feeding of the continent by developing food and increasing the capacity of the continent for developing its own food as well as also making sure that the continent is integrated.

 

“ And the countries that have the capabilities to see these pillars being realised are certainly Nigeria and South Africa,’’ he said.

 

The visiting International Research Fellow AISA,  Prof. Hilary Inyang, said Africa must have an entity that provides the opportunity to extract the intellect of its people to run processes, produce goods and services.

 

Inyang said that the intellectual system was a mother of invention and stressed the need for intellectual independence to complement political independence.

 

According to him, “ this will help Africa to make a headway and catch up with the rest of the world.’’ (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

TOLU/BRM

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

 

Science & Tech

NOTAP establishes 62 technology transfer offices- Official 

NOTAP establishes 62 technology transfer offices- Official

NOTAP

By Tolu Aiyegbusi

Abuja, Sept. 30, 2022 (NAN) The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) said it established 62 Intellectual Property Technology Transfer Offices (IPTTOs) in selected Universities, Polytechnics and Research Institutions in Nigeria.

The Director-General (DG) of the agency, Dr. DanAzumi Ibrahim stated this on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

The NOTAP boss said that one of the missions of NOTAP was to promote qualitative original research through sensitization and foster strong collaboration between university and industry through the establishments of IPTTO.

According to him,the establishment of IPTTO’s was aimed at providing patents’ registration, promoting robust patent policy, driving commercialization of products of patents and innovations for sound economic rewards.

“ Establishing IPTTO’s is to promote interaction and linkage between universities, esearch institutions and industries.

“ The IPTTO is designed to develop a robust intellectual Property Rights portfolio through patenting, copyright, technology licensing; to support the Institution’s initiative in developing patent culture.

“ It will facilitate the utilization of the Intellectual Property(IP) system in Tertiary Institutions and also serve as a source of technology information and a source of generating wealth and income,’’ Ibrahim said.

He added that 65 percent of patent certificates released by the Patents’ Registry in recent times came through NOTAPs intervention in assisting researchers file and patent their inventions and innovations free of charge.

“ NOTAP was established 30 years ago to regulate the inflow of foreign technology into the country and motivate indigenous technology development.

“ We have developed several programmes and projects to ensure technological growth in Nigeria among which was the establishment of IPTTO’s to also boost emergence of patents from Nigerian researchers

“ NOTAP is also upgrading research laboratories facilities of knowledge institutions with the support of Industry,’ Ibrahim said.

The D-G said that NOTAP was passionate about the development of Africa and frowned at the continuous reliance of the country on imported technologies.

He said that this informed the agency’s deliberate policies to build the capacity of indigenous researchers. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

TOLU/BRM

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Science & Tech

NOTAP urges African leaders to scale up culture of innovation, research

NOTAP urges African leaders to scale up culture of innovation, research

NOTAP

By Tolu Aiyegbusi

Abuja, Sept. 28, 2022 (NAN) Dr DanAzumi Ibrahim, the Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), has called on African countries to speed up the culture wave of innovation and research.

The Director-General made the call on Wednesday to commemorate the African Day for Technology and Intellectual Property Rights (TIPRs) which comes up in September yearly.

The NOTAP D-G encouraged African countries to invest more on research and development to ensure that African nations did not remain consumers of products of technological advancement from the developed world.

The D-G also attributed the difference between developed and developing countries as advancement in technology.

Ibrahim added that commemorating African day by African leaders and Heads of states would arouse the latent intellectual capabilities of the African youths.

“Developed countries have gone far ahead of African countries because they have invested much in research and development.

“Industries in Nigeria are driven by foreigners and research outcomes of their products done outside the shores of Nigeria,’’ he said.

Ibrahim called on governments at all levels to show commitment in investing in research and innovation.

According to the D-G, they are contributing to the overall and sustainable national development of countries within the continent.

Ibrahim explained that NOTAP while carrying its statutory responsibility observed that the culture of Intellectual Property Protection within the knowledge institutions was low.

“Hence, the need to establish Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Offices (IPTTOs) to encourage inventive and innovative activities in the knowledge establishments,’’ he said.

He said prior to the establishment of IPTTOs, researchers in universities, polytechnics and research establishments were not interested in patenting their research and development results.

“With IPTTOs in place in the universities, they no longer publish their inventions for the purposes of career progression only, the situation has changed for the better,’’ he said. (NAN) (www.nanneews.ng)

TOLU/AMM/BRM

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Bashir Rabe Mani

 

Science & Tech

FG appoints new acting Postmaster General of NIPOST

FG appoints new acting Postmaster General of NIPOST

Appointment

By Tolu Aiyegbusi

Abuja, Sept. 22, 2022 (NAN)The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami has approved the appointment of Mr Bulus Yakubu as acting Post-Master General (PMG) and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST).

This was contained in a statement issued by NIPOST Director, Corporate Communications, Mr. Franklyn Alao on Thursday in Abuja.

Until his appointment, Yakubu was the Secretary to NIPOST Governing board, Director (Special Duties) and also NIPOST Liaison Officer to the National Assembly.

Yakubu, who holds a Bachelor in Law Degree from Ahmadu Bello University, belongs to a number of professional bodies, notably the International Bar Association (IBA), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Institute for Fraud Management and  Control.

According to the statement, he joined the service of the Nigerian Postal Service in 1990 and has served in different capacities with a proven record of excellent performance.

NAN reports that Yakubu replaces Dr. Ismail Adewusi, who was appointed as NIPOST PMG in year 2019 and was recently suspended from office.

(NAN) www.nannews.ng

 

TOLU/IA

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

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Science & Tech

NBTI trains 60 workers, entrepreneurs on standardisation

NBTI trains 60 workers, entrepreneurs on standardisation

Training
By Tolu Aiyegbusi.
Abuja, Sept. 19, 2022 (NAN) The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) on Monday began an International Standardisation Organisation (ISO) training for workers and entrepreneurs from 36 centres and six zones under its Technology Incubation Programme.

NAN reports that the participants were trained on ISO 9001:2015 which requires a quality management system where an organisation provides products and services that meet customer and applicable statutory, as well as regulatory requirements.

Mr Akinwumi Shomefun, NBTI’s overseeing Director-General (DG), said that the training was part of efforts to actualise the national self-sufficiency, entrepreneurship and self-reliance agenda of the Federal Government.

Shomefun said that the training was aimed at enhancing customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

“It is important that we attain the cardinal goals of national self-reliance, entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

“We are also committed to sustain and systematically prepare our staff and entrepreneurs to improve on their performances and outputs as civil servants and captains of industry,” he said.

Shomefun said that capacity building was key to the survival of any organisation and reiterated the agency’s commitment to building capacities of its staff members at all levels and at all times.

“This training will create awareness on product competitiveness, quality and satisfaction to meet customer demands in the production of goods and services delivery in all NBTI centres,” he said.

Shomefun said that NBTI was committed to actualising its mandate of commercialisation of research and development findings, as well as updating indigenous technologies and talents via technology incubation centres.

“NBTI shall continue to pursue its mandate with vigour, with a view to seeing that Nigeria maintains its enviable position in the comity of nations in innovative entrepreneurship and industrialisation

“We will build on the capacity of the participants to achieve globally-accepted quality management standards,” the DG said.

NBTI Director of Internal Audit, Mr Mohammed Ladan, in his address said the aim of the training was to make participants understand the role of quality and standard in a competitive environment.

Ladan said that all the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 were generic and were applicable to any organisation, regardless of its type or size, or the products and services it provided.

He said that NBTI boasts of 36 technology incubation centres and extension offices in the federation, requiring such training to contribute to the welfare of its host communities.

“The ultimate target of technology incubation training is to become entrepreneurs who will launch products for local and international markets.

“This can never be realised without attaining the globally-acceptable quality standards and certification,’’ Ladan said.

NAN reports that the training was organised by DAL-HAT cost engineering Nigeria Limited in collaboration with NBTI.

Some of the topics treated include basic concepts of quality, understanding requirements of ISO 9001:2015 and how conformity assessment works. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

TOLU/BRM/ORO
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani/Razak Owolabi

Science & Tech

NIPOST denies sack of Postmaster General

NIPOST denies sack of Postmaster General

 

Rebuttal

 

By Tolu Aiyegbusi

 

Abuja, Sept. 7, 2022 (NAN) The Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) has denied a false report circulating online alleging that President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the Postmaster General (PMG) of the Federation, Dr Ismail Adewusi.

In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, the Director, Corporate Communications, Mr Franklyn Alao, while reacting to the publication, condemned the fake news.

Alao said, “the purported news is false, reckless, mischievous and it is meant to mislead the public.’’

He urged the public to disregard the fake news and said the postal outfit was only concerned with boosting its quality of service to the general public.

Alao added that the agency would not be distracted in its commitment towards contributing to the overall economic transformation of the Federal Government.

According to him, Adewusi was in office performing his official duties and working tirelessly to ensure the transformation of the agency in line with best global practices.

“Since his assumption of office, NIPOST has witnessed nobel ideas aimed at transforming its operations in line with the digital economy agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari administration,’’  he said. (NAN)

 

 

TOLU/BRM

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Science & Tech

NOTAP denies buying N46bn vehicles, stationeries

NOTAP denies buying N46bn vehicles, stationeries

NOTAP

By Tolu Aiyegbusi

Abuja, Sept. 5, 2022 (NAN) The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), has debunked a fake news circulating online alleging that it spent N46 billion to purchase vehicles and N23 million on stationeries.

In a statement, on Monday, in Abuja, the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Communications, Mr. Solomon Nshem, while reacting to the publication, condemned the fake news.

Nshem said, “ it is unprofessional and malicious for an online paper worth its salt to publicise such without proper investigation.’’

Nshem urged Nigerians to deploy the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act to interrogate its activities and financial expenses instead of spreading fake news.

He added that the publication alleged that the House of Representatives was investigating the DG of NOTAP, Dr. Dan-Azumi Ibrahim, over the purchase of vehicles worth N46 billion and stationeries worth N23 million.

“ In order to put the records straight, we wish to state that the said vehicles were not purchased at N46 billion, but N46 million in 2021, for the smooth operation of the Office.

“ The vehicles purchased were a 2021 model Toyota Prado Landcruiser and a 2021 model Toyota Yaris which were captured under the 2021 project vehicle budget line.

“ They were directly purchased by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) accredited vendors after receiving certificate of no objection from BPP,’’ he said.

Nshem stated that NOTAP  was one of the ”most prudently managed government organizations and would never spend N46 billion to purchase vehicles.”

Nshem added that NOTAP DG, who was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on 22nd of Oct. 2015, for 4-year tenure was reappointed for another 4-year term in Oct. 2019.

He said:“ The DG  was reappointed because of his dedication to duty, commitment, hard work, and contributions towards the development of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), not only in Nigeria but Africa.’’

“It is on record that between 2015 to 2019 which was his first term in office, NOTAP saved the nation over N79.63 billion .

”That  money would have left Nigeria’s shores as capital flight through its strict regulation of foreign technology transfer agreements.

“The building project conceptualized by Ibrahim’s predecessor of a befitting office complex is about 90 per cent complete due to his dedication and resourcefulness.” 0 (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

TOLU/BRM

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani