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The Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos, recently played host to the representatives from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) on Wednesday, 30th October, 2024. The visit culminated in a guided facility tour of the Institute, aimed at evaluating over 250 FIIRO's commercializable research products for potential exhibition at the upcoming TETFUND Research Fair in Abuja this November.

Speaking at the event, FIIRO's Director General, Dr. Jummai Adamu Tutuwa, praised TETFUND for its significant contributions to Nigeria's socioeconomic development. She reiterated FIIRO's mission and commitment to generate wealth and employment opportunities for Nigerians through its research findings.

She highlighted the Institute's breakthroughs and achievements in research technologies, developed from indigenous raw materials available in all 774 Local Government Areas across Nigeria.

The forthcoming TETFUND Research Fair, she opined, will afford FIIRO the valuable opportunity to showcase its technologies and attract investments.

In his response, Professor Umar Bindir, Chairman TETFUND Research Fair Committee, scored FIIRO high on its relevance to Mr. President Renewed Hope Agenda. He explicitly stated that the initiative, TETFAIR, is a program designed to support academics, researchers, technologists, and innovators from government tertiary institutions in Nigeria. He was particularly elated about FIIRO's relevance and unbreakable records in research activities.

Professor Bindir however added that the program focuses on translating ideas into innovation, solutions, and enterprise, with benefits including all-expense-paid participation, mentoring, capacity building, and access to investors and industry experts.

It fills me with immense joy to address you on this momentous occasion of commissioning the newly acquired and renovated FIIRO South East Zonal Office in Enugu, Enugu State. As the Innovation, Science, and Technology Sector steward, I am committed to translating our promises into tangible actions, ensuring a conducive work environment for our esteemed and dedicated personnel.

First and foremost, I thank the Almighty God for guiding us in achieving this milestone. Under the exemplary leadership of Dr. (Mrs.) Jummai T. Adamu, FIIRO's Director-General/CEO, FIIRO has made remarkable progress in infrastructural development within a relatively short period. Dr. Adamu's unwavering dedication to fulfilling the agency's mandates is commendable, which is evident in initiatives such as this office facility that prioritize the welfare and comfort of our staff members. Her commitment resonates with the Renewed Hope Agenda of our esteemed President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Distinguished guests, Nigeria's economic prosperity hinges on harnessing our abundant indigenous talents and raw materials to drive technological innovation. Our nation is blessed with diverse skills and natural resources across all six geopolitical zones, motivating us to extend development beyond urban centres to rural communities. Since innovation is the cornerstone of global economic growth, neglecting it jeopardizes our socio-economic progress. Therefore, we must prioritize the development of innovative technologies to propel Nigeria's economic diversification away from oil and gas dependency.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda is committed to leveraging innovation, science, and technology to combat hunger and poverty in Nigeria. This stance rhymes with the global economic landscape, emphasizing innovation as the key to development and compelling us not to lag behind. To this end, the Ministry has recently revised the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy (2022) and developed additional policies to accelerate technological advancement.

As you know, our vision to industrialize Nigeria through Innovation, Science, and Technology has led to the establishment of Technology and Innovation Centers across the six geopolitical zones and Technology Incubation Centers in all states. These facilities serve as hubs for stakeholders in the IST ecosystem to foster global competitiveness by harnessing mineral and human resources. Furthermore, our commitment to indigenous technology is evident in our support for establishing Centers of Excellence for Welding Engineering and Technology, aimed at enhancing collaboration between the government and the private sector to drive development in the industry.

The Southeast region holds significant importance as Nigeria's industrial hub, motivating the provision of this office facility to support capacity building and enhance productivity through innovative activities.

Once again, I sincerely congratulate the indefatigable Director-General/CEO of FIIRO and her dedicated team. Your resilience and commitment to excellence are truly commendable. I also urge the staff to maintain and preserve this facility to ensure its longevity.

With gratitude, I now commission this newly acquired and renovated South East Zonal Office on this memorable Tuesday, 20th February 2024, to serve the glory of God and humanity.

Thank you, and God bless Nigeria.

His Excellency, Chief Uche Nnaji

Honourable Minister

Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology

Honorable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Executive Governor of Ekiti State, The Permanent Secretary, esteemed dignitaries from Montserrado Company, Directors from the Ministry, Gentlemen of the press, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen good day.

I want to most sincerely appreciate my Hon Minister Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, The father of Innovation in Nigeria for his unwavering support, by creating enabling environment for Science to strive, and also implementing president Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renew Hope Agenda through Innovation, Science and Technology.

It is indeed a momentous occasion as we gather here to witness the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos (FIIRO), Ekiti State Government on one hand and Montessaro Company on the other Hand. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our concerted efforts to foster sustainable development and Industrial growth in Nigeria.

The Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) has a venerable history dating back to its establishment in 1956. Originally conceived to catalyze industrialization in Nigeria through innovation research, The Institute has been at the forefront of groundbreaking projects aimed at harnessing our nation’s vast agricultural and mineral resources. Guided by its mandate to conduct research and development in the field of industrial processing of local raw materials, FIIRO has successfully devised numerous technologies that are pivotal to Nigeria’s socio-economic advancement.

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this propitious occasion of the commissioning of the Acquisition and renovated FIIRO South West Zonal office located in this great city of Akure, Ondo State. It is important to state that productivity of personnel is mostly tie to befitting work environment, which is crucial to development. We were formerly located at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Akure, and we want to sincerely appreciate the Federal Government, the Government and Good People of Ondo State, for the gesture of accommodating us all these years. The commissioning of this edifice is a special one as the South West Zonal office is being presented with the state-of-the-art, functional, and befitting workplace that would spur scientific revolution in this great region of the nation.

2. Invited Guest, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to particularly welcome the present day father of Innovation in Nigeria, the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, whose support and commitment led to the provision of this edifice that would engender and fast-track socio-economic development of our nation. It is a fact that the economy of this nation is begging for the utilization of the Innovation, Science and Technology apparatus to enable its transition from consumption to production. I would like to welcome all other dignitaries here present, Directors of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, my workaholic Management and staff of FIIRO, who made this programme a success.
3. It is pertinent to inform that FIIRO has Zonal Offices in the Six Geopolitical Zones of the country, with the sole aim of carrying R&D activities to the grass root level so as to utilize all the available raw materials across the country. Since the inception of these zonal offices, it is important to state that a lot have been achieved in the development of products and technologies that are very important in our quest to be recognized as one of the developed nations of the world, driven by innovation.
4. Ladies and Gentlemen, you will agree with me that provision of befitting office space is imperative in the conduct of Business Meetings, Researches, Administration and also serves as an area for employees to work professionally with good image and making organizations look more credible in the eyes of the public. Its further helps organizations build strong brand presence for ease of identification by customers, which could offer unique blend of flexibility, comfort, and modern design that is perfect for customers and organizations. It is with sincerity of purpose that this building was Acquired and renovated in 2023, and today we are witnessing its commissioning. I like to inform you that plans are concluded to commission similar Zonal Offices of the Institute in Enugu, Enugu State and Yola, Adamawa State, respectively.
5. At this juncture, it is worthy to note that since the inception of the Agency in 1953, we are vigorously pursuing our vision and mission statements which are “to be the foremost Centre for Science and Technology-based Research and Development for the industrialization and socio-economic advancement of the nation and conduct and promote market-driven research and development (R&D) for the industrialization and socio-economic development of the country”, respectively, It is noteworthy of mention that we have developed over two hundred and fifty (250) products, goods and services through the efforts of the dedicated and diligent Staff of the Institute in the last few years.
6. It is with great pleasure and sense of responsibility to inform you that this project was achieved based on the love, dedication, support and commitment of the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji towards the regeneration of the Nigerian Science and Technology sector, as well as the attention given by the Federal Government of Nigeria in encouraging and supporting application of science and technology tools in tackling technological challenges bedeviling the country.
7. On this note, I thank the Contractors, Niphemy Solutions Ltd, who did justice to this renovation work and my able and dependable team of Engineers from FIIRO, who worked tirelessly in providing supervisory role during the renovation process. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, other invited Guests, I wish to sincerely thank you for gracing this occasion and may the Lord Almighty bless you.
8. Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, we would like to on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Innovation, Science and Technology, Mrs Esuabana Nko Asanye, my dedicated, diligent and responsive team from FIIRO, welcome you to this memorable occasion.

 Thanks and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

DR. (MRS.) JUMMAI A. TUTUWA

DIRECTOR-GENERAL/CEO, FIIRO

The federal government quest to create wealth and make jobs available to all has received a major boost.

This became self-evident last week with the flurry of activities at the nation’s foremost Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi [FIIRO] as the Institute’s management led the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) on a tour of its facility.

The Minister of IST, Chief Geoffrey Nnaji, who was on his first official visit to FIIRO, could not hide his surprise and elation at the vast opportunities and finished research works which he said if harnessed by business men, and commercialised will fetch Nigeria huge amounts of money.

The extensive tour took the Ministerial entourage through the FIIRO cassava pilot plant, the Institute’s pavilion which houses the proto type equipment, the imposing engineering building, the FIIRO Dome, where the Institute showcases all their products which have been concluded and ready for commercialisation. The tour ended with visits to the various laboratories.

Addressing the Media, the Director General/CEO FIIRO, Dr. Jummai Tutuwa said innovation and technology hold sway in issues of national development. She noted that the institute has been at the forefront of boosting innovative research on all the available raw materials in Nigeria, both agro-based and mineral excluding oil, which has yielded positive solutions.

Dr. Tutuwa said that the Institute has developed over 250 research and development technologies and has completely packaged over 100 of them ready for immediate transfer.

The amiable DG/CEO of FIIRO, disclosed that the food, beverage, pulp, paper, textile, cement, paint, soap and cosmetics as well as the engineering industry amongst others have benefitted immensely from the Institute’s research and development results.

“The Institute is spurring economic development through job creation and technology transfer and has trained over 500,000 techno-entrepreneurs on its various developed technologies”, said Tutuwa.

According to her, numerous entrepreneurs have established production enterprises based on the technologies acquired from the Institute, adding that millions of jobs have been created through direct and multiplier effects of these entrepreneurs.

Emphasizing on what he said before, the Minister Science and Technology said “We must produce, we must get people employed. We must commercialise the research we have. There are so many of these research products we have on the shelf that have not been touched. If Nigeria can concentrate on bringing out these research products, then Nigeria will change overnight”.

“I keep saying that to move this country forward we need innovation, science and technology. We are the focus of economic development, there are no two ways about it and that is why I keep praying that more money be allocated to places like FIIRO so that those researches can see the light of the day.”

Speaking about the FIIRO cassava pilot plant, he noted that with cassava alone that we can make fortunes in this country. “We have quality cassava machines here. Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the whole world. We produce 64 million metric tons per annum. With the strength we have now, we will multiply it to 120 million metric tons and make a lot of money.

“From cassava, we can have feed for poultry, cows using cassava peels, then you can get on to getting starch, sorbitol, flour etcetera. We have to stop importing and look inwards,” he said.

Commending the DG/CEO FIIRO, the Minister described her as capable hands and said he has been discussing with her and that “part of our focus going forward will be to start doing pilot planting so that we have as many cassava, as many plants as possible so we can use the leaves, stem to make papers.”

“We are also using this opportunity to appeal to investors that go outside Nigeria to import machines, to look inwards as we have better, solid and durable machines that can last very long in FIIRO. We are inviting investors to come here and see what we have so as to commercialize most of these things,” appealed the Minister.

(Source “The Nation Dated on March 17, 2024”)

 I am indeed very happy today to welcome you all to this auspicious occasion of the official Commissioning and Handing over of the established Modern Integrated Cassava Processing Plant in the Ancient City of Uke, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. This development is a clear indication of our commitment towards ensuring the utilization of our R&D products for improved quality of lives of the citizenry and as well demonstrates the fact that Technology rules every sphere of advancement worldwide.

I am highly delighted to welcome you all to the official commissioning of the acquired and renovated North East Zonal Office of FIIRO in Yola, Adamawa State, ‘’the Land of Beauty’’. I would like to specially welcome the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, ably represented by Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye. Thank you for providing enabling environment for us to thrive.

The directors at FIIRO here present, the training coordinators from Redeemed Christians Church of God, the distinguished participants, distinguished members of the press, ladies and gentlemen.

I am delighted to welcome you all to the opening ceremony of the technology transfer training on Cassava bread baking and confectioneries production for youth and women economic empowerment in collaboration with the Redeemed Christians Church of God. starting today Wednesday, 24th January, 2024.

I am quite sure that some of us may be hearing about the Institute for the first time. For this reason it would be my pleasure to briefly introduce the Institute to you. The Institute has a broad mandate to conduct research and development into utilization of indigenous raw materials to promote rapid industrialization of the nation for socioeconomic development through the development and promotion of micro, small, medium and large enterprises.