FIIRO Tasks FG On Centres For Consumer Good Production

• Utilising Technologies For Investment and Job Creation

THE Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), has called on the Federal Government to develop modern industrial catalytic centres across the six geo-political zones of the country, for the production and packaging of consumables that can compete globally.

In addition, it should also ensure that capacity in entrepreneurship and packaging is strengthened, by reviewing the training curriculum, to be all-inclusive, effective and justifiable through the instrumentality of the Federal Ministry of Education.

These were part of the recommendations contained in a communiqué issued at the institute’s Investment and Technology Week, with the theme; “Sustainable Job Creation through FIIRO Technologies “, which drew over 2000 participants from Government, Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs), the organised private sector, investors, the academia, youth organisations, students, beneficiaries of FIIRO developed technologies, development partners and financial Institutions, among others.

President Goodluck Jonathan, represented by his Vice, Arc. Muhammed Namadi Sambo, declared the event, held at the premises of the Institute, opened. Dignitaries in attendance included the Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga; Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Oba Otudeko; Commandant, Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) Air Vice Marshal John Morgan, Chief Olabode George, Vice Chancellors, Directors-General, Captains of Industry amongst others.

Stakeholders at the forum unanimously agreed that all research institutions should strengthen their relationship with manufacturing industries and improve on Public Private Partnership (PPP).

“The country’s legal framework on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) is weak and should be strengthened with enabling Acts from the National Assembly, while the Federal Government should facilitate training programmes in skill acquisition and capacity building in IPR.

“The National Research Innovation Council (NIRC) should ensure that revised Science & Technology Innovation (STI) policies are fully implemented. This should also guarantee proper and adequate funding of R & D,” the communiqué read.

The Investment and Technology Week was originally conceived in partial fulfillment of the institute’s mandate, which is to find utilisation for the nation’s raw materials and to upgrade indigenous production techniques.

Specifically, the event was intended to showcase the institute’s over 250 developed technologies and how they can be deployed massively in the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria in order to create jobs and reduce unemployment rate to the barest minimum.

To bring together stakeholders in commercialisation of research and development (R&D) results, captains of industry, investment promotion agencies, technology developers, micro small & medium enterprises (MSMEs), support institutions, financial and development institutions, Nigerians in diaspora, policy makers, potential investors, international organisations, unemployed youths and so on to take advantage of the technologies for investment purposes.

Also, to create opportunities for the establishment of over 2,500 micro, small and medium enterprises and generate over 250,000 jobs as well as draw about $575million Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) within the next one year.

While showcasing its achievements, it was revealed that FIIRO has instituted a 3-month certificate course in techno-entrepreneurship in order to enhance the entrepreneurial skills among MSMEs and individuals adopting FIIRO R & D results for commercialisation.

In the areas of food enrichment and development of local food processing techniques that critically addresses nutrient deficiencies, FIIRO has developed the High Nutrient Density Biscuit (HNDB) and Soy-ogi amongst others.

FIIRO has intensified efforts in pulp and paper R & D in order to revive the state of pulp and paper industries in Nigeria for sustainability and job creation. One critical area that the institute is setting the pace is its Waste-to-Wealth programme.

It was introduced to address the issue of poor management of domestic and agricultural wastes that has led to enormous environmental challenges in the country.

The event afforded the institute to provide dedicated fund for the national implementation of cassava-wheat composite flour project; approval for the 120 youths from across the nation’s six geo-political zones, trained on techno-entrepreneurship and beneficiaries of FIIRO’s developed technologies to benefit from the N220 billion intervention fund in support of MSMEs, the youths and fresh graduates granted by the President; presentation of list of trainees; and expansion of FIIRO laboratories and improvement on facilities.

It was also used for the launch of Soy-based Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF); Peanut-based Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF); Soya butter High Nutrient Density Biscuit for the School Feeding Programme and instant Nigerian Traditional Soup mixes (Ogbono, Banga, Egusi, Okra and Onugbu).