‘Replicate others’ technologies for nation-building’

 Toba Adedeji, Osogbo

IN a bid to prevent brain drain and contribute to innovations development in Nigeria,

The National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) has urged students to copy and replicate innovations from developed countries for nation-building.

Its Director-General, Prof. Okechukwu Ukwuoma, stated this while addressing reporters at the agency’s conference hall in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

He advised young minds not to contribute to brain drain in the country but develop innovations of other countries while in Nigeria.

NACETEM, which is an agency of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, was established to provide critical knowledge support in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) management for sustainable development in Nigeria.

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Ukwuoma regretted that Nigerians running to developed countries in search for greener pastures do so at the detriment of the nation’s economy and development.

He said: “After the World War, Japan has been trying to imitate the innovation of other countries. In their schools, they do more of practical innovations than theory. If we continue to copy innovations and replicating their creations and annexing them here in Nigeria, our country will be envied by all.

“Nobody transfers technology to others freely. You either steal or develop it. You can buy it and look at how it was done, then develop it.