Technology

Nigerian Scientists Agree to Commercialise Research Findings

By Web News 361

By Abisola Oluremi

Scientists and technologists in Nigeria have concluded plans to commercialise their findings for the economic growth of the country.

They made this known at their 38th annual conference held at IAR&T, MOOR Plantation, Ibadan.

Setting the tone for the discussion, the conference organised by the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology, NISLT, in conjunction with the Association of Science Laboratory Technologists of Nigeria, ASLTON, the researchers lamented that most research findings were left on the shelf due to paucity of funds.

They agreed that, henceforth, such research would now be domesticated till they get to the end users.

The researchers concluded that if such potential were well harnessed, other nations of the world would be coming to Nigeria which in turn would generate more revenue for the country.

In his message to the conference, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji assured the readiness of the government to partner researchers.

The national president, Association of Science Laboratory Technologists of Nigeria, ASLTON, Mr Ayotunde Omorilewa maintained that with the current crops of technologists, the nation could migrate from an importing nation to a massive exporting nation.

Welcoming the participants, the Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology, Dr. Yemi Gbadegesin explained that for the nation to attain her desired level in science and technology, quackery in the profession should be tackled headlong.

In his message, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State encouraged scientists to take advantage of the licenses issued them for the growth of the nation and not look for white-collar jobs.

Delivering a paper on the theme of the conference, “Entrepreneurial Role of Science Laboratory Technology in Sustainable Development for National Growth”, the main speaker, Dr. Jackson Oshu from Federal University, Oye-Ekiti stressed the need to domesticate findings to meet the health, science, educational, economical needs of the people.

In a remark, the Oyo State Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun stressed the need to instil technological skills into Nigeria’s educational curriculum from primary schools.

At the conference, nineteen members of the association were conferred with the award of Fellow of the Institute.

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Health

NISLT Upgrades Laboratory to Level 2 Facility

By Web News 703

By Abisola Oluremi

During the Covid-19 Pandemic in year 2020, Nigeria could not provide infrastructure towards effective laboratory diagnosis and had to rely on research findings from developed nations as the laboratories that could carry out the research properly were very few.

To address the issue headlong, the federal government directed the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology, NISLT, to upgrade her laboratory to a Level 2 standard.

The event held at the institute’s headquarters Samonda, Ibadan was well attended by researchers, scientists and technologists.

Speaking on the multi-million naira projects, the permanent secretary Federal Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation, James Sule, said the project would accelerate the impact of SLT on Nigerians in the area of job creation, agriculture, educational and industrial supports through laboratory testing entrepreneur.

Mr Sule, represented by the Director Chemical Technology in the ministry, Mr Meg Bassey explained that the project would go a long way at curbing the spread of pandemic.

In an address, the Director-General Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology, Yemi Gbadegesin said the Modern Level 2 laboratory would accommodate molecular, biotechnology and chemistry facilities for food, soil, water, air, oil and gas testing.

Speaking for the scientists, the National President, Association Of Science Laboratory Technology of Nigeria, Mr Ayotunde Omorilewa said the project would accelerate development of research findings and lessen dependent on other nations of the world.

The Project Engineer, Ademola Adebayo explained that the laboratory was 100-percent constructed with indigenous materials.

Radio Nigeria gathered that the construction of the laboratory was borne out of the advice of the then Oyo State Chairman of the steering committee on Covid-19 and former Chief Medical Director, CMD, University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, Professor Temitope Alonge who charged the institute to be relevant whenever the need arises.

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Health

FG will clamp down on unregistered laboratories soon – NISLT

By Web News 1222 Post a comment

Federal Government is set to clamp down on all unregistered laboratories by the end of this year.

 The Governing Board of the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology, NISLT, made the revelation at a meeting held in Ibadan

 The Board noted that many laboratories in the country were sub-standard, hence reasons for faulty laboratory results.

The Board identified poorly equipped laboratories, unqualified personnel and quackery as some of the causes.

The Board drawn from the six geopolitical zones of the nation maintained that the step would be taken in every nook and crannies of the nation.

Welcoming the participants, NISLT Board chairman, Mr Olu Àjàyí said research should be undertaken in making purchases, installing and maintenance of quality equipment for longevity.

He also encouraged proprietors of laboratories to register with NISLT for proper monitoring and advice

 A council member from South-South, Mrs Comfort Alagoa insisted on putting qualified personnel in the nation’s laboratories for effectiveness and productivity

In his presentation, the Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology, Doctor Yemi Gbadegesin said the step would reposition the nation’s science and innovation sector for international acceptability.

The resource person at the meeting, Mr Peter Adefisoye encouraged all laboratory proprietors to get a seal for the results of tests being carried out in their facilities for easy tracing and credibility.

The seminar comprised the monitoring and evaluation, training team.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, Dr  Adeleke Mamura has said there will be a review of the entry level of graduates of science laboratory technologists in labour markets.

Dr Mamora on a facility tour to the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology noted that the SLT graduates should be given fair treatment as done to their counterparts with similar years of study.

 Dr Mamora further urged science laboratory technologists, SLT, and medical science laboratory technologists, MLS, to see themselves as colleagues with a common goal and not as rivals.

He further urged the associations guiding both professions to work out modalities that would reposition the science sector for national growth.

Abisola Oluremi

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Agriculture

FG Awards Grant To NISLT For Agricultural Research

By Web News 917

Farmers can now heave sigh of relief as Federal government has given grant to the Nigeria Institute Of Science Laboratory Technology, NISLT, to produce extraction kits that will reveal infected plants.

The Director General of NISLT, Dr. Yemi gbadegesin stated this in ibadan at the induction ceremony of thirteen fellow members of the institute.

According to the DG, the research would expose the genetic causes of diseases and also develop diagnostics and drugs.

Dr Gbadegesin explained that the kits were also essential for carrying out forensic science, sequencing genomes, detecting bacteria and viruses in the environment and for determining paternity.

He explained that such research would not only boost agriculture but also ensure quality of food in circulation.

The DG added that the grant which cost five hundred thousand naira had been disbursed to the researchers.

Chairman, Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology, Charles Obaseki reiterated the need for adequate funding which he said would go a long way in the development of science and technology.

The newly inducted fellows of the institute pledged their readiness to use their newly acquired status for the development of  science laboratory technology, SLT

Highlight of the programme was an award of honorary fellow conferred on the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babangana Umara- Zulum and two others.

Abisola Oluremi