Nigeria’s Real Independence Hinges on Tech Advancement, Says Ayade

Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade, has stated that Nigeria is not yet truly independent due to uncontrolled importation of foreign technology into the country.

According to him, no nation is truly independent if it is technologically dependent.

Ayade stated this recently in Abuja at the Joint Action Congress of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

At the ceremony organised to honour Nigerians who have contributed significantly towards the repositioning of the agency, the governor, who was a recipient of the ‘outstanding performance’ award, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving one per cent of the Federation Account for NASENI.

Data released recently by the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) had said 90 per cent of technologies powering the Nigerian economy were imported.

Ayade lamented that without the development of local technology, “the independence of Nigeria in 1960 was a mere political independence.

“True independence is when Nigeria becomes self-reliant in technology and engineering, and that’s why NASENI has come with the presidential approval for the agency to have its dues by what is provided by the constitution for them to have one per cent of the federation account.

“Once that is implemented, NASENI will be in a position to begin to start the real research in science and engineering to proffer solutions and innovate technologies that meet our needs.

“Time has come when indeed Africa and Nigeria cannot continue to depend on foreigners to tell us what to do. With this amount of sunlight we have got here, we do not need a white man to come here to tell us how we can trap this sun and convert it to electricity.

“In this hot climate, we do not need a foreigner to show us on how to make air-conditioners to be able to make the place colder. How long will we continue to depend on foreigners to continue to give us directions?

“We must stand strong as a nation because the entire continent depends on us. If Nigeria fails the entire Africa has failed.”

Speaking also, the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna, disclosed that President Buhari has directed the agency to collaborate with state governments for accelerated development in the area of technology.

He noted that technology was key to national development, adding that “the private sector has been brought on board for efficient results in commercialisation of locally made products.”

Other recipients of the awards included Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong; Chairman, Senate Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, Senator Uche Ekwunife; Chairman, House Committee on Science Research Institutions, Hon. Olaide Akinremi; Hon. Beni Lar, among others.