The director-general of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. DanAzumi Ibrahim, has called on Africa to embrace the culture of innovation for the sustainable economic development of the continent.
Ibrahim made the call while flagging off the commemoration of 2022 Africa Day for Technology and Intellectual Property Rights held at the Innov8 Hub, Abuja today (September 13, 2022).
September 13 was set aside for the commemoration of Africa Day by African leaders and heads of states, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to arouse the latent intellectual capabilities of African youths.
The DG further said that what makes the difference between developed and developing countries is advancement in technology therefore he encouraged all Africa to invest more in research and development to ensure the technological advancement of the continent. He added that developed countries are far ahead of Africa because they invest so much in research and development.
He regretted that secondary and vocational schools that were major partners in commemorating Africa Day with technology and innovation exhibitions were not part of the event because schools were just resuming after a long break.
The NOTAP boss called on governments at all levels to show commitment to investing in research.
Ibrahim further stated that while carrying out the statutory responsibility of the office, it was observed that the culture of intellectual property protection within the knowledge institutions was low, hence the need to establish intellectual property and technology transfer offices (IPTTOs) to encourage inventive and innovative activities in the knowledge establishments.
He said that before the establishment of IPTTOs, researchers in the universities, polytechnics and research establishments were not interested in patenting their research and development results but would choose to publish their inventions for career progression. He said with IPTTOs in place in the universities, the situation has changed.
In his brief presentation, the head of programmes, Innova8 Hub, Dr. Obichi Obiajunwa, said the hub is a private facility and a non-profit, innovation-driven organisation with the mandate to groom a generation of innovators, inventors and researchers for national development.
He further stated that Innov8 is a focal point for innovation start-up, incubation, technology transfer of knowledge and skill impartation, prototypes development and fabrication. He added that the organisation strategically assists other organisations and individuals seeking to transfer their ideas into initiatives and inventions into solutions.
In a statement by NOTAP’s assistant chief information officer, public relations unit, Raymond Ogbu, Obiajunwa appreciated the partnership that has dovetailed into hosting the special day in their facility.
