The new, acting executive vice chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mrs. Nonyem Onyechi has emphasised the importance of stability and the pursuit of the industrialsation agenda of the Federal Government.
Onyechi, who was speaking during a consultation meeting with the agency’s four principal officers on her first day as EVC, pledged her commitment to promoting NASENI’s activities and ensuring the agency remains a visible legacy of President Muhammadu Buhari.
During her three decades of civil service, Onyechi has demonstrated her proficiency in the development of science, technology, and innovation policies. Her previous role as coordinating director, planning business development of the agency equipped her with the necessary skills and knowledge to lead NASENI to greater heights.
Onyechi’s proven integrity, transparency and accountability earned her the highly coveted NASENI Merit Award as the Best Performing Director in 2018.
Under the leadership of the former EVC, Prof Mohammed Haruna NASENI made significant strides in the fabrication of machines and equipment for many sectors of the Nigerian economy. NASENI has manufactured agricultural equipment and research and development (R&D) outputs that have helped farmers boost their productivity, creating more jobs and adding value to the economy.
NASENI has provided immense support to the defence industry in the country by manufacturing military-grade equipment, including drones used in surveillance and aerial weapons of warfare, to fight insecurity in the country.
Also, it has strengthened its cooperation in the area of R&D. The skill acquisition and training centres of NASENI have proved to be some of the best in capacity building for people with new skills in engineering, science, technology and innovation, as well as boosting artisanal skills for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
NASENI has collaborated with countries such as Jordan, Italy and the Czech Republic to revolutionise agriculture in the country. It has also built capacity for renewable energy by investing in solar plants in parts of the country, among other achievements. The agency has collaborated with a German company, Atmosfair, to produce and distribute thousands of environment-friendly ‘Save 80’ cooking stoves for women in various states and the FCT.
Onyechi’s priority as acting EVC is to maintain the stability of the agency and pursue the industrialisation agenda of the Federal Government.
NASENI’s management is poised to take the agency to a desirable height with growing support from staff and stakeholders while maintaining its development institutes, productive outfits and skill acquisition centres across the country.
The agencies assured its international partners and international organisations of a more fruitful collaboration to perpetuate this enduring legacy of President Buhari in his quest to transform Nigeria and make it one of the most industrialised countries in the world.
