By Vincent UJUMADU, Akwa
NINE universities in the Niger Delta region have been selected by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) as centres for the design and manufacture of engineering equipment and components as part of efforts to reposition the country for technological growth.
The Director General of NASENI, Prof. Olusegun Adewoye, who spoke during the unveiling of the bust of the late Professor Gordian Ezekwe at the premises of the Electronics Development Institute (ELDI), Abba in Anambra State , explained that there is a paradigm shift in the activities of NASENI to make it more relevant to the needs of Nigeria .

According to him, the selected universities would collaborate with NASENI in the funding of the manufacturing outfits in the institutions.

While in Anambra State , Adewoye also inaugurated computerized milling machines and foundry at the Anambra State University , Uli. The machines and foundry, he said, would ignite the growth of the manufacturing sector, not only in the South East zone, but in the entire country.

“It is my hope that the effort that has been made at Uli would help to leapfrog Nigeria into the league of technologically advanced countries, whose prosperity has been determined by manufacturing technology. All I am challenging the university is to give the faculty a broadband internet. With broad band, you can enter any of our workshops and network with us. Tell your governor. We will make sure that what has been started here will grow,” he said.

According to Adewoye NASENI was prepared to do more for the institution, but the university and the Anambra State Government must provide the engineering workshop with a broadband internet.

The Vice_Chancellor, Prof. C. C. Anene, in his speech said the dream of Nigeria joining the league of the top 20 economies of the world by 2020 cannot be realized if the country failed to embrace modern and competitive manufacturing.