Director Seeks Better Funding For Research

The Director, Technol
ogy Acquisition and Adaption Department, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology Dr Adeneye Talabi, has called for adequate funding of scientific research.
Talabi made the call in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.
He said that such funding would put the country on the road to national development through the local production of commodities for the international market.
“My advice to the government is that we should not relent in our effort, there is no amount of money spent on science and technology development anywhere in any part of the world that is a waste and Nigeria cannot be an exception.
“We may not get it right the first time, but we have to go through all these (challenges) in the sense that we do not want to depend on foreign technology.
“And as such the government must consistently and persistently support science and technology until when we break through.
“Then we can have one or two competitive products or services that we can put into the international market that can rival with any one of a similar product or services in the international market.
“This is my vision for Nigeria and before we can achieve that, Nigeria must not shy from the fact that we are spending money, we need to spend money to get something good out of your environment or society.”
Talabi said Nigeria had capable personnel and fertile environment to compete with the world.
He urged the government to intensify efforts at creating an environment that would encourage Nigerian engineers and scientists to remain in the country and help it grow.
The director said that advancement in science and technology would help create job opportunities, especially in the agricultural sector.