Zonal office brings development closer to the people – DG
By Yaro Sani in Yola
The essence of a Zonal Office is to take development close to the people and also develop some of the untapped resources for the benefits of these zones so as to improve their economic base thereby making them self reliant .
The Director-General (DG) /CEO of Federal Institute of Industrial Research OShodi (FIIRO ) Dr Jummai Tutuwu Adamu, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology made the remark yesterday at the commissioning ceremony of the North East Zonal Office complex in Yola, Adamawa State capital
Adamu said the agency is established in pursuing it’s mandate of accelerating industrialization in Nigeria
She called on the states to take advantage of the agency situated in their zone to develop the economic activities of their state.
“It is pertinent to state that FIIRO under my watch takes staff welfare as a matter of priority as well as the provision of enabling environment so as motivate and boost their morale in supporting the agency to achieve the mandates.
“We are passionate in providing the needed research and development products, goods and services,as one of the leading research institute in Nigeria.
“We are resolute to be at the forefront of the fight against the trio evils of poverty, insecurity, and unemployment.We are doing our best in supporting the Federal and state government in the country in providing the required platforms for our teaming population to excel through the accelerated impartation of technological , scientific and Innovative skills for job creation as well as generate wealth geared towards poverty reduction and also fight insecurity.
“This necessitated us to provide the needed infrastructure for us to leverage on and succeed in our quest to contribute to the development of the nation” she said
She went on to say, ” lam glad to state also that our desires for the utilization of indigenous technologies and raw materials have engendered us to develop, commissioned and handed over modern Integrated Cassava Processing Plants to the communities of Igbara-Oke, Ifedore, Ondo state, and Uke , Karu , Nassarawa State,on 18/11/23 and 3/2/24, respectively.
“It is one of the research and development products, goods and services we developed to empower the local farmers in the food value-chain ,so as to curtail post-harvest losses for improved economic activities.
“It is equally important to state that we have commissioned our South West and South East Zonal Offices in Akure, Ondo state,and Enugu in Enugu state on the 14th and 20th February,2024 , respectively today by grace of God North East Zonal Office will be commissioned”
She said it is worthy to mention that this edifice would build a seamless operations that would be people centred , oriented and driven by innovation,as well as motivate staff for self development.
“It is my singular honour to thank Honourable Minister of Federal Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji and the permanent secretary, Mrs Esaubana Nko Asanye, for creating an enabling environment for the implementation of our ideas and initiative ” she said
In his remarks at the event, the Honourable Minister of Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji has said the ministry is determined in resolving the nation’s economic challenges through concerted efforts in meaningful research and development activities and programmes in relevant areas of the economy.
In his words:” it is pertinent to state that the ministry is in the season of commissioning of projects and programmes, many of which were carried out by the Federal Institute of Industrial Research OShodi FIIRO, I would like to commend the efforts of the DG/CEO Dr Mrs Jummai Tutuwu Adamu and her dedicated team in infrastructural development as well as other market driven and targeted research work carried out by the agency towards improving the economy of the country.
“The DG/CEO and her management are equal to the task of achieving the mandate of the agency and Ministry at large through dedication, commitment and resilience” he commented.