Pulse.ng : Expert urges FG to empower specialized institutions as key drivers of research, dev’t

By Muhammed Tijjani

The President of Digital Bridge Institute Abuja, Prof. Mohammed Ajiya, has urged the Federal Government to empower specialized institutions to play a critical role as drivers of research, innovation, business, entrepreneurship and technology.

Ajiya made the call at the maiden edition of a public lecture organised by the Air Force Institute of Technology-AFIT, Kaduna on Monday .

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the theme of the lecture was: “Leveraging Technology Capacity To Achieve The Renewed Hope Agenda”.
He said that investing in such institutions would enhance productivity in research and development.

Ajiya explained that creative engagements between Universities, Industries and their host communities were vital for creating a suitable ecosystem for facilitating steady entrepreneurial activities within local and international markets.

He pointed out that institutions were recognised for promoting the diversity of ideas and critical thinking, to always advance the frontiers of human knowledge.

Ajiya also called on universities to intensify efforts to develop sufficient skilled human capital required for driving the digital economy and thus, achieve the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Earlier in his welcome address, Commandant of the AFIT, AVM Sani Rabe, explained that the lecture was conceived in line with Tinubu’s vision to generate technical talents aimed at facilitating job creation for the teeming youths.

Rabe said that AFIT had the capacity and competence to contribute meaningfully to the actualization of Mr President’s vision.

He disclosed that AFIT’s continuous success at competitions was a testament to the institution’s unwavering commitment to fostering creativity, innovation and problem-solving skills among it’s students.

Cross section of participant of maiden public lecture at AFIT on Monday in Kaduna

NAN reports that the Digital Bridge Institute was established in May 2004 by the Nigerian Communications Commission-NCC.

It is to foster the rapid development and growth of the Nigerian Technology Ecosystem and mitigate significant vulnerability that shortage of human resources could pose.

Also, the lecture drew participants from tertiary institutions as well as Commanders and Commandants of various military and para-military formations within Kaduna State.(NAN)