The Minister of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has commended the PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc for committing close to a billion naira in upgrading nine Chemistry and Chemical Laboratories of the Nigerian Universities and Research establishments under NOTAP-Industry Research Laboratory Upgrade (NIRLUP) initiative.
Chief Nnaji, in his address presented by the Director General of NOTAP, Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, emphasized that education is the bedrock of every nation’s development. He noted that investing in critical educational infrastructure, such as equipping Chemistry laboratories, is a sure way to achieving academic success.
The Minister stated that NOTAP, as a technology regulatory agency, observed some inadequacies and disconnect between industries and the National Innovation System (NIS), and decided to bridge the gap through various initiatives, such as NIRLUP. He noted that NOTAP came up with the NOTAP-Industry partnership initiative with a number of schemes in 2009 to strengthen linkage with industry and provision of infrastructure in Nigerian knowledge establishments.
Chief Nnaji commended PZ Cussons for the massive expenditure in upgrading a total of nine Chemistry Laboratories of Nigerian knowledge institutions. He called on other multinational companies operating in Nigeria to emulate PZ’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NOTAP, Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, expressed appreciation for PZ’s partnership and commitment to developing indigenous technologies.
She said that in carrying out its responsibilities, the Office observed that most of the foreign companies operating in Nigeria carry out their critical laboratory research and analyses in their parent companies overseas, reason being lack of adequate research facilities in Nigeria.
Dr. Amadiobi noted that for a country that is desirous of grooming a critical mass of skilled manpower, the research infrastructure in our knowledge institutions needed an upgrade, hence the partnership with PZ Cussons in upgrading the Chemistry laboratories of the Nigerian knowledge institutions with state of-the-art equipment.
In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PZ Cussons Nigerian Plc, Mr. Dimitris Kostianis who was represented by Mr. Samson Moju said that the company is passionate about promoting research and innovative education in Nigeria.
Kostianis stated that PZ is very supportive of every developmental initiative of NOTAP especially in domesticating indigenous technology and that is the reason for the company’s commitment in upgrading of research laboratories of the Nigerian knowledge establishments. He therefore pledges an unwavering support to NOTAP and other institutions and stakeholders with developmental initiatives, such as NIRLUP to ensure the development of technology to build a sustainable economy.
While appreciating the donation from NOTAP and PZ Cussons, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Owunari Abraham Georgwill, represented by the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Ngozi Onyanunam Ekeke said that the gesture marks another milestone in advancing scientific innovation, strengthening industry-academia collaboration, and promote indigenous technology development.
He said that the University has long been recognized as a centre of excellence in petroleum, and chemical engineering education and research, adding that with the upgraded laboratory, students and researchers will now have access to world-class facilities that will enhance hands-on training, promote problem-solving research, and foster innovative solutions to the challenges facing our energy and manufacturing sector.
