By Aliyu DANLADI
Director-General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), Mrs Gloria Elemo, on Monday called for more support from the Federal Government to remodel, re-equip and re-tool its laboratories and workshops.
Elemo said in Lagos on Monday that due to the age of the institute, most of its infrastructure had become obsolete and needed upgrading with state-of-the-art equipment.
She said this would enable the institute undertake cutting edge research and evolve the appropriate technology to make Nigerian youths and the economy more competitive globally.
“I want to commend the Federal Government, they have been very supportive. However, the institute still needs more funds for more inventions for the betterment of the institute and Nigerian youths.
“Science and Technology does not come cheap at all, a lot of funding is needed to create the best of technologies and also to come up with meaningful researches.
“Having enough fund will also enable the Institute to do more in terms of job creation for Nigerian youths,” said Elemo.
The FIIRO boss said the country could only survive through industrialisation, adding that investing in it would be beneficial and provide rapid results for economic growth.
Elemo said more support from the government would go a long way in making the plans of the institute for the development of youths and the country at large possible.
The FIIRO boss disclosed that, in order to rightly position the youth to contribute to the economy, the institute was collaborating with Lashone Links Communications Limited on an Industrial Reality Television show, targeted at the youth.
“The reality show is targeted at youths because they are the main drivers of the economy and the future of the country.
“The availability of more funds will help us replicate programmes like this from time to time for the benefit of Nigerian youths.
“We are also out to show that industrialisation is not only the biggest employer of labour, but also results in huge economic prosperity,” Elemo said.
