Gov Aliyu advocates adequate funding of research in Nigeria

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

Niger state governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has called for adequate funding of research if Nigeria must join the global technological trend as beneficiaries of such funds, to key into the concept from inception to the final evaluation of research work.

Aliyu, who made the call in Minna yesterday, when he received on a courtesy call the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology Mrs. Winifred Ita at the Government House, added that the place of research in the technological development of any society cannot be overemphasized.

“There should be a way for beneficiaries of research findings to key into research work from inception to fruition; they should even participate in the funding of the research”.

The Governor noted that most institutions charged with carrying out research works in the country have gone comatose because those that are supposed to galvanize them to action have not done so.

He argued that with the 1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expected to be devoted to research work in the country , which is a lot of money; going by the currently rebased GDP of the country’ the nation has a lot of resources to plough into research work.

Aliyu stressed that parents in particular should encourage their wards to study science-related and other professional courses as a way of bridging the wide gap existing between graduates of liberal arts and the sciences in the country.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Winifred Ita, who said she was in the state in preparation for the National Council of Science and Technological conference, expected to hold in the Niger state capital later in the month, said the federal government has been laying a lot of emphasis on research as one of the ways to improve the economy of the nation.