The Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has commended the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), for creating Intellectual Property Right (IPR) awareness across Nigerian Knowledge Institutions.
Dr. Onu made this commendation recently in NOTAP corporate headquarters while performing the foundation laying ceremony of the NOTAP’s new Office complex. He added that IPR awareness has resulted in an increase in the number of Patents Certificates secured for Nigerian inventors and innovators by NOTAP free of charge.
He said NOTAP as an agency of government saddled with the responsibility of facilitating the development of indigenous inventions and innovations has had Office accommodation challenge, hence the need for modern edifice that will be conducive for critical thinking and optimal performance.
The Minister further stated that through the registration of technology transfer agreements between Nigerian entrepreneur and their foreign counterparts, NOTAP has saved the country over a whooping N240 billion that would have gone out of the country as capital flight.
He reiterated that during registration of technology transfer agreements, NOTAP observed that some of the agreements submitted were crafted with little or no regards to the development of indigenous skilled manpower therefore, NOTAP declines to register such agreements leading to the savings.
The Minister further stated that NOTAP had suffered inadequate Office space but he was delighted that under his administration, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the building of a befitting Office complex, hence the foundation laying ceremony.
He express delight on the efforts of NOTAP in creating awareness on patenting of innovations and invention through establishment of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Offices (IPTTOs) across some knowledge Institutions in the country.
In his goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Bitrus Bako Nabasu who is also the Chairman of NOTAP board thanked the Honourable Minister for facilitating the approval of NOTAP Office building by the FEC, adding that with the enormous responsibility shouldered by NOTAP in developing indigenous skilled manpower, it was only fair and natural for it to have a good working environment.
He stated that NOTAP was one of the agencies under Science and Technology Ministry that if well funded, will lip-frog the techno-economic advancement of the country and project the country into the global limelight.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General of NOTAP, Dr. DanAzumi Ibrahim expressed appreciation to the Minister for ensuring that the proposal for new Office complex for NOTAP was approved. He said inadequate Office space had been a big challenge to the Office and with the laying of the building foundation, execution of duties would be more expeditious as officers will put in their best for a better output.
He decried a situation whereby very senior Officers share offices owing to lack of accommodation, adding that “for you to engage in any meaningful intellectual work, a conducive working environment was required”.
The DG further requested for more support from the Minister in area of improved budgetary allocation to ensure that the building is completed in a record time.
Raymond Onyenezi Ogbu