Opening of the industrial analytic laboratory in Langtang, Plateau State.
By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Jos – The Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, FIIRO, has disclosed that the federal government’s desire for the utilisation of indigenous technologies and raw materials has seen the development of over 250 market-driven technologies in the country.
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of FIIRO, Dr. Jummai Adamu disclosed this on Thursday during the commissioning of the North Central Administrative Office and modern Analytical Laboratory in the Langtang North local government area of Plateau State.
The DG/CEO reiterated the resolve of the federal government to continue the fight against poverty, insecurity, and unemployment hence the efforts at providing the required platforms for accelerated impartation of technological, scientific, and innovative skills for job creation and wealth generation.
While urging that the facility be patronised for enhanced economic activity in the North Central region, she noted, “We established the Zonal office in Langtang because we find out that Langtang is the centre where there are huge untapped resources.
“So, we decided for our Agency to be here so that we can tap all the available resources in Langtang and then we now use it for export and helping our youths and women to be self-sufficient.
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“FIIRO is the home of indigenous technologies, we are resolute to be at the forefront of the fight against the trio evils of poverty, insecurity, and unemployment.
“We are doing our best in supporting the federal and States governments in the country in providing the required platform for our teeming population to excel through the accelerated impartation of technological, scientific, and innovative skills for job creation as well as generating wealth geared towards poverty reduction and fighting insecurity.”
She commended the former Member representing Langtang North/Langtang South in the National Assembly, Beni Lar for her efforts saying, “I want to thank the former member representing Langtang North and South, Hon. Beni Lar for taking a bold step towards ensuring the actualisation of the project to empower her people.
“I expect that many people should appreciate what she has done. We are pleading to the current Representatives to come forward and initiate projects that benefit the people.”
The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uche Nnaji who spoke via Zoom stated that inaugurating the facility signifies the stride in harnessing innovation, science, and technology to propel modern nation-building.
He stressed that science and technology are major tools of nation building hence, “We will empower people to ensure a brighter future by embracing scientific and technological advancement to spur industrialisation leading to productivity and create high-value jobs.”
Meanwhile, Ms Lar who facilitated the project during her time in office stated the project was conceptualised by the late former Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, when he visited Langtang and recognised the huge potential in not just Langtang but the entire Plateau State and this necessitated the citing of FIIRO office to serve the North Central Zone.
“We are mostly farmers, we have all the bio-resources, we are surrounded by neem trees, cashews, cassava, and regardless of the type of crops, the vegetation is suitable for them. The rural population needs to industrialise, we cannot just farm and sell in the market and get the real value. We need to add value to our crops. We will be richer than we think when we add value to our crops.
“The North Central farmers will benefit from the facility; the entrepreneurs and the youths will be more engaged because they will not just farm the yams but expand the value chain.”
