The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, on Friday, inaugurated the newly upgraded Chemistry Laboratory and Chemicals at Akpugo High School in Nkanu West Council Area of Enugu State.
Newsextra24 reports that the modern chemistry laboratory equipment and chemicals was donated to the school by the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).
The minister said the upgrade was initiated by NOTAP in 2018 to ensure that basic practical science and technology were taught in secondary schools to catch them young and leap-frog in the technological development of the country
He noted that no nation developed without the instrumentality of science, technology and innovation, hence, the urgent need to equip secondary school laboratories with state-of-the art laboratory equipment.
According to him, it is to facilitate practical teaching and learning at young age.
“You will agree with me that the major educational foundation is laid at the secondary school level and when a child misses the basic rudiments of science in secondary schools, it becomes extremely difficult to cope.
“It is, therefore, the intention of the office to extend the project, upgrading chemistry laboratories to as many schools as possible across the geopolitical zones of the country based on availability of funds,” Nnaji said.
He explained that the upgraded Akpugo laboratory would bring the number of upgraded Nigerian Secondary Schools Chemistry Laboratories to eight.
According to him, the benefited schools include Government Science Secondary School, Batagarawa, Katsina; Government Girls Secondary School, Obosi, Anambra and Gifted School Soro, Bauchi States.
Others were Government Science Secondary School, Uke, Nasarawa; Ibadan Grammar School, Oyo and Migrant Community Secondary School, Ibakang, Nsit Local Government Area of Akwa-lbom State.
“In addition to the supply of apparatus and chemicals, the National office under Model Science Laboratory for Secondary School introduced training of laboratory technicians on the usage of the model equipment.
“It is my hope that the students will positively utilise this opportunity to cultivate the culture of critical thinking, engaging in research and strategic practical works that will position them for the challenges of nation building,” he said.
In her remark, the Director-General of NOTAP, Dr Obiageli Amadiobi, said the organisation was an agency under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, established to regulate the inflow of foreign technologies.
“We do this through the registration of Technology Transfer Agreements, but also have the responsibility to encourage the efficient development and domestication of foreign technologies.
“In carrying out these responsibilities, NOTAP observed that the country is over dependent on foreign technologies and as a nation that desires a place in the global technology ecosystem, the situation was unacceptable.
“Therefore, the office strives to change the narrative through the initiation of some developmental project,” she explained.
She added that the organisation recognised the value of modern laboratory equipment to the science and technology educational growth of the Nigerian Children.
“As an agency of government that interacts with the academia and industry, we have seen the gap, which must be bridged if we must make a headway in technology development,” she stressed.
Also speaking, the Director-General, Raw Material Research Development Council, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-muonso, said the upgrade would boost science education and students performance in Enugu.
He urged Nnaji to continue the good of transforming the country through innovation and technology.
The Enugu State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah, while describing the intervention as timely, said the initiative was in line with Gov. Peter Mbah’s vision for education in Enugu State.
Mbah, represented by the Director, Higher and Science, Technical and Vocational Education, Ministry of Education, Enugu, Mrs Nnenna Okenwa, lauded Nnaji and NOTAP for the project.
Rev. Fr. Hilary Mgbodile, the Board Chairman, Post Primary Schools Management Board, (PPSMB), Enugu, said the project was fitting, especially as the world was going digital.
He advised the school to make good use of the laboratory for the benefit of the students and society at large.
