Gombe State Deputy Governor, Manassah Jatau has noted that now, Nigeria is at the point that technopreneurs must lead the activities to sustainable industrialisation.
Jatau made the assertion in a goodwill message delivered at the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi chapter 2nd National Conference /Exhibition held on Saturday at the ASUP Secretariat, Bauchi.
He said, “Now must be the time that you, technopreneurs must partner with our local entrepreneurs, and produce tools, equipment and other gadgets that are suitable, affordable and easily maintainable, for the mass production of goods and services to meet the needs of the population; that they are unable to afford many things that they truly and really need and require, because of the cost of imported items.
“In essence, as we navigate the numerous challenges and also opportunities in our evolving environment, the intersection of technology and entrepreneurship holds the greatest and crucial potential to drive economic growth, create jobs to empower our youths, manufacture preservation/storage facilities, attractive packing containers that can attract consumers be they local or foreign, i.e. market access.
“Overall, therefore, our institutions of learning like any other organisation must be relevant, responsive, resilient, receptive and above all, be able to adapt (which Charles Darwin (1809-1882) asserts is the only way species can survive) to the challenges daring us in the face.
“Anything short of this, will make the society to ask why the search for knowledge, if that knowledge cannot help in real life, as is the case now. Afraid that, I may be mistaken as one of the resources persons, I must stop, and I have stopped.”
Having taken a critical look at the topics to be discussed and the exhibition to be made by eminent scholars and innovators, inventors, the Deputy Governor urged them to Identify grey areas in their performance that will require further research, contributions or outright assistance.
He also charged them to appraise their performance in line with the expectation of the society to which all legitimate organizations are accountable to as well as adhere to the feedback mechanism (the use of past actions to adjust future), Jatau (2010:113714).
He said, “On your theme of this conference, I must accept that it is apt, germane, necessary and indeed inevitable at this time in the life of our nation (Nigeria), that majority accept is a now ‘troubled economy’.
“Events and happenings that we are witnesses to, insecurity, both social and physical, poverty as families are hurt by high prices, unemployment, ‘miracle’, decreasing and unstable rainfall (the greatest requirement of farmers), daily collapse of infrastructure, roads, power, buildings, non-functional education, etc. justify the label ‘troubled economy’.
“All these present to scholars, the urgent and compelling need to put on their thinking and find solutions; so as to reduce to barest minimum the level of suffering and unhappiness of the population.”
Earlier, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Sani Usman warmly welcomed participants to the 2nd National Conference/Exhibition of ASUP, saying that the Conference/Exhibition offers opportunity for scholars, to showcase their intellect and technological innovations towards contributing to the revolutionary ideas needed to overhaul our society.
According to him, the theme ‘Technopreneurship as a Catalyst for Sustainable Industrialization in Nigeria’, was timely as it combines technology with entrepreneurship is indeed what our nation needs at a time like this to unlock untapped resources and address developmental challenges.
“At the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, we lead in research and innovation, particularly in the Northeast as evident in the quality of products on display at the exhibition ground.
“I want to take advantage of the opportunity presented today to inform our distinguished guests that we are prepared to partner with organizations to advance integrated farming and skills development through our Centre of Excellence even as we continue to expand our academic programs through degree affiliations,” he said.
He then commended the ASUP chapter of the great institution for maintaining industrial harmony and for their dedication to upholding academic standards.
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
