The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, has tasked the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to monitor and supervise the technical operations of the board of directors of the agency’s institute to make it more responsive to the development and socio-economic needs of the country.
Mustapha disclosed this at the inauguration of the institute’s 45-Man panel technical board of directors.
NASENI has continued to prove its capabilities and commitment to the progress of the nation’s development and sustainable growth, through its diversified interventions across the many sectors of the country.
“Mr President has approved the composition of these technical committee for the deployment and application of appropriate science and engineering technology because it is obvious solution to the myriads of Nigeria’s socio-economic problems.
“Your appointments were absolutely based on merit and your pedigree as seasoned researchers and practicing engineers and scientists; hence the need to bring your years of dedication and truly valuable contributions to our institutions and the professional bodies in which you will serve.
“Much is expected from you and we believe that you shall demonstrate the highest standards of commitments and integrity in the discharge of your mandate. Nothing could be more important to this country than the task that has been assigned to you and you must not fail,” he added.
The permanent secretary, general services, office of the SGF, Dr. Marice Nnamdi, who represented Mustapha, said the board is not an administrative one but a technical committee. They should supervise the technical operation of the institute within their specific mandate.
The agency’s executive vice chairman, Prof. Mohammed Haruna, stated that under the enabling law, NASENI, like it’s global counterparts, operate as an extra-ministerial body under the Presidency, with the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the chairman of the agency’s governing board.
“With the inauguration of this technical board today, Mr President, who double as the chairman of the agency’s governing board, has fulfilled his promises of repositioning the agency to deliver globally competitive product and service. This is in line with his administration’s economic diversification programme and commitment to transit the country from a consumer to a manufacturing economy.
“The members of this technical board are among Nigeria’s best engineers and scientists who have distinguished themselves in their areas of specialisation. Their nominations by various professional bodies and approval by Mr President is based on their pedigrees. This is, therefore, a challenge to the Nigerian scientific and engineering professionals to use knowledge and technical innovations for economic transformation. This is also an opportunity to demonstrate local innovative and capacity.
“The three NASENI institutes (Solid Mineral Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (SOMMEDI), Nasarawa; Heavy Equipment and Machinery Development Institute (HEMEDI), Bauchi; Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI), Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise will have their respective technical board of directors’ inaugurations in due course,” he said.
The chairman of SEDI Minna, Engr. Kashim Ali, speaking for the appointees said: “Our presence here today is indicative of our acceptance to serve as the critical mass for the oversight of the drivers of these boards, to ensure that they deliver on their thematic mandates.
“While thanking the executive vice chairman (EVC), Engr Prof M. S. Haruna for finding us and President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for finding us worthy, we can’t but acknowledge the significance of this day.
“This is the first time it will constitute technical boards for it’s subsidiaries, pursuant to the provision of it’s laws.”
