Lagos State University (LASU) has demonstrated in various ways that it is indeed an institution to reckon with, not just in Nigeria, but globally. This could be one of the reasons the university gathered who is who in the education sector, industry players and administrators to brainstorm on the best way to tackle food insecurity through the repositioning of Science and Technology. CYRIACUS NNAJI reports.
The Aderemi Makanjuola Auditorium of the Lagos State University was full to the brim for the LASU-Alexander Von Humboldt International Conference (LASU-Humboldt Kellog 2023), on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
The audience was enthralled with rapt attention as they listened to the speakers who took turns to discuss an issue of national importance which has the theme “Repositioning Science and Technology to Tackle Food Insecurity, Environmental and Health Challenges through Research Collaborations and Capacity Building for Sustainable Development”.
Honourable Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Senator Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora, disclosed that Advancement of Science and Technology Innovations through Good Governance is a sure panacea for solving Nigeria’s economic challenges’
Mamora who was represented at the event by Dr Sam Etatovie, Director-General/Chief Executive, Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, while describing the theme as apt in view of the numerous challenges associated with food security and other health issues brought about by COVID-19, spoke on what he titled “Advancement of Science and Technology Innovations through Good Governance for Solving Nigeria’s Economic Challenges’.
In his word, “There is no gainsaying that scientific processes and discoveries have been used to impact lives through the utilization of economic networks for improved livelihood and productivity. It is therefore important to note that Science, Technology and Innovation could be put to use in diverse areas of human endeavor including transportation, health, manufacturing, agriculture, administration, and banking.
“An important area being promoted is effectiveness and the efficiency of factories which manifest in the use of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics not just in the industries, but in everyday life. Science, Technology and Innovation hold the key to our lives both in the present and for future development. Nigeria cannot be an exception to its use where technologies from nanotechnology to biotechnology, space technology among others have been earmarked as the driving force for the development of any nation. In the case of food security, biotechnology initiatives and programmes have focused on safety, thus increasing livelihoods,” Mamora stated.
Speaking on what the Federal Government is doing, the Minister said that the Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation is bringing the benefits of biotechnology for improved livelihood by bioresources development to all Nigerians, most importantly those living in the rural areas. “This also has led to bio-entrepreneurship which in turn has contributed to better livelihoods for dwellers in rural agricultural communities. Currently, Nigeria is pursuing the development of an inclusive biotechnology plan for farmers. Furthermore, in the area of medical innovation, emphasis is being placed on affordable techniques for vaccine production, DNA technology and the likes.”
He disclosed that aside technology innovation itself, human resource development is also focused on improved workforce in science and technology with the attendant calls for gender balancing in programmes targeted at female entreprenuers and researchers, adding that the Ministry is currently building a database of researchers aimed at having a pool of Nigerians working in different aspects of STI. Emphasis is also on top-down, research-led innovations to deeper and greater consultations with stakeholders”
Speaking on the area of healthcare, he stated that several policies are being developed to address inequalities which include both “push” (knowledge creation) and “pull” (market incentives). “On the push side, resources are growing by the day with emphasis being shifted from funding for research in the global North to effective collaborations and capacity building for research in the global South including Public-Private Partnerships that not only allow for increased participation but also encourage partners to go into riskier but important ventures of neglected tropical diseases. In this area, several collaborations have been formed in the area of vaccine manufacturing for deadly diseases prevalent in our environment.
He added that Nigeria, like other countries, through FMSTI, has engaged in STI dialogues on technology catch-up, adoption, and deployment. He said lessons have also been learnt from other countries of the world in areas of comparative advantage.
Mamora further stated that the Adoption of other technologies in such areas as transportation and logistics, fintech, potable water and sanitation, waste to energy, affordable housing, and low-cost, high-quality health care are being developed.
In the area of Waste management, he stated that Waste-to-energy processes generate low-cost, renewable energy from animal and human waste, organic waste from farming and food processing. Industrial waste and municipal garbage are also potent sources of renewable energy. These technologies, he added, also mitigate environmental damage from landfill and wastewater run-off into ground and surface water.
Another Keynote Speaker was the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. (Ms) Abisola Olusanya, who disclosed that out of over 1million tons of rice consumed in Lagos annually, the state can only boast of production of 50,000 tons.
She stated that the state sources over 950,000 tons of rice from outside the state on yearly basis.
Olusanya said that the production output of tomatoes is also grossly deficient compared to its consumption need.
She spoke on the paper titled ‘Advancing Food Security through Good Governance in Nigeria’.
The Commissioner also stated that all sectors of the economy operate via a central pipe traceable to agriculture. “What we regard as the production, manufacturing sectors are basically hinged on agriculture. The clothes we are putting, especially the ones made of original cotton, are products of basic agriculture”.
She spoke further that the tyres of vehicles and interior furniture are all materials that originated from agricultural activities.
Olusanya also spoke on the need to get more actively involved in pro-agricultural activities, this she said would help Lagos State in attaining sufficient food production for sustainable food security.
The commissioner was also of the opinion that the factors holding the economy are food security and the security of life and property.
She called on youths to participate in agriculture, no matter their profession, adding that there will be less pressure on the workers’ incomes since less will be expended on feeding and as such the rising cost of living will be brought down significantly.
Earlier at the event Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello in her Welcome Remark said she was optimistic that the conference would proffer solutions to the myriads of challenges of food insecurity bedeviling the nation.
Other keynote speakers include, Prof. Odunayo Clement Adebooye the Vice Chancellor of Osun State University who spoke on the paper titled ‘Tackling Food Insecurity, Environment And Health Challenges In Nigeria: The Potential Of Science And Technological Innovations Through Research Collaborations And Capacity Building For Sustainable Development.’
Another keynote was delivered by the Hon. Minister of Science and Technology, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora who was represented by the Director General/ Chief Executive, Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, Dr. Sam Etatovie.
Prof. Kabiru Akinyemi, Director of Linkages, Partnerships and Collaborations at Lagos State University was the convener of the conference.
