Business
Minister Harps On Importance Of Technology
The Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Ita Ewa, has urged Nigerians to use technology and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) as tools for achieving rapid industrialisation.
Ewa made the call at the commemoration of the African Day for Technology and Intellectual Property, organised by the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) in Abuja, recently.
Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Rabi Jimeta, the minister said technology and intellectual property had been recognised as the most important factors in nation building and wealth creation.
“Nigerians should endeavour to use these two essential tools to work toward achieving the millennium development goals and national transformation agenda.’’
Ewa said the ministry had taken some bold initiatives through NOTAP to promote technology and IPR culture among Nigerians.
These initiatives, according to him, include the establishment of Intellectual Property and Technology Uffice across higher and research institutions and assisting indigenous researchers to patent inventions.
“Patent application submitted to NOTAP are substantively evaluated and forwarded to the Ministry of Commerce for consideration and issuance of patents.
“So far, about 358 patent applications have been submitted to NOTAP, 144 filed at Patent Office and 79 granted.’’
Ewa also said that NOTAP collaborated with Nigerian National Merit Award and the Federal and State Ministries of Education.
He said the aim was to develop the innovation and intellectual capacity of Nigerian youths.
The Director- General of NOTAP, Dr Bindir Umar, said the office also collaborates with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) to promote innovation among secondary school students.
Umar said that each of the agencies had approved over two million naira to support some secondary school students in FCT to develop their innovations.
He said the money would be made available to the benefitting schools within the next two weeks.
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
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