President Goodluck Jonathan has challenged the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to support Nigerian businesses by producing made in Nigeria aircraft components, heavy duty trucks, tanks and tropicalized electric cars.
President Jonathan, who was speaking while inaugurating the Board of NASENI at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the Agency could achieve this task by collaborating with the private sector.
Represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, the President also charged the Agency to attract accelerated investment with good funding prospects, and upwards of 5,000 new businesses.
"We are inaugurating this Board today with great hope and expectation that the agency will facilitate and support Nigerian businesses so that they can deliver new ideas and technologies to our waiting market."
"In pursuit of this objective, and in line with our transformation agenda, I expect that within the next few years, NASENI as an agency of technological advancement, will achieve the following: Made in Nigeria aircraft components in collaboration with the private sector; Manufacture heavy duty trucks, tanks and tropicalized electric cars; and the production of multi-purpose electric motors and generators, all here in our country", he stated.
President Jonathan further enjoined the Agency to introduce large-scale practical innovations as well as connecting Nigerian businesses to global competitiveness. "Indeed, innovation must be key to our competitive advantage, if we are to win in today's challenging, knowledge-based global economy", he also said.
In his response, the Director General of NASENI, Dr. Muhammad Haruna expressed gratitude to President Jonathan for the appointment, pledging that the board would deliver on the President's challenge.
Members of the Governing Board, which is chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan, include the Ministers of Science and Technology, National Planning, Ministers of Works, Agriculture and Health, while the Director General of NASENI, Dr. Muhammad S. Haruna serves as the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency.
Others members are Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Central Bank Of Nigeria Governor; Prof Oyewale Tomori, President, Nigeria Academy Of Science and Engr. Mustapha Shehu, President Nigerian Society Of Engineers.
Prof. Placid Njoku, Sen. Femi Okurounmu, Eng K.A. Ali President, COREN; Chief Kola Jamodu, President Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and Oba Michael Adesina, National Vice President, NACCIMA are to serve as members of the Board.
Other members of the Board are the National President, Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists, Mr. Chuku Wachuku.
Established in 1992, NASENI has the primary task of closing the missing link in the nation economic and technological development.
Federal Republic Of Nigeria | nigeria.gov.ng