The Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu says that Science, Technology and Innovation were very instrumental to the development of functional society.
Dr. Onu made this disclosure while performing the foundation laying ceremony of the new Office complex of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) recently. He said technology advancement was the major difference between developed and developing countries, adding that while developing countries import technologies from the developed countries, the later makes money from the sale of technologies.
He stated that NOTAP during registration of technology transfer agreements, 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 that do not neither meet up with Nigerian law, improve the economy of the country nor improve the technical skills of Nigerians for subtle technology transfer.
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 expression 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 Federal Executive Council, adding that with the great job being carried out 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.
Raymond Onyenezi Ogbu