By Stanley Iwuoha
The Federal Government has commended PZ Cusson and the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) for their partnership in upgrading research laboratories across Nigeria.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, praised PZ Cussons for investing over N700 million in upgrading ten laboratories, with eight fully upgraded and commissioned.
This partnership aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry by providing state-of-the-art equipment for research.
The Minister emphasized the importance of private sector involvement in strengthening research and development (R&D) in Nigeria.
He encouraged other companies to follow PZ Cussons’ example and support R&D initiatives.
The NOTAP-Industry Research Laboratory Upgrade (NIRLUP) scheme has been instrumental in promoting critical and demand-driven research in Nigerian universities.
The Director General of NOTAP, Dr. Obiageli Amadiobi, highlighted the significance of public-private partnerships in driving socio-economic development.
She stated that the NOTAP-Industry Research Laboratory Upgrade initiative came into effect in order to bridge the gap between the academia and industry by carrying out credible and industrial need-base research for the advancement of the industry.
She emphasized that as an industry player, PZ Cussons understands their challenges, hence the equipment donated to the knowledge institutions are state-of-the-act laboratory equipment that will sharpen the skills of the students in conducting and delivering globally acceptable research results.
Dr. Amadiobi further stated that since the introduction of the programme, only PZ Cussons has shown interest, and used the opportunity to call on other multinational companies to join hands with the PZ Cussons Nigerian Plc in ensuring that more Nigerian schools benefit from the gesture as the impact is already being felt by both the beneficiaries and the benefactor.
She expressed delight on the favourable dispositions of the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology in supporting NOTAP and by encouraging the partnership which according to her, has yielded significant results in critical knowledge acquisition especially in science related fields across the geopolitical zones of the Country.
The DG equally used the avenue to appreciate the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos for his support and enthusiasm in fast-tracking the commissioning of the upgraded Laboratory and also for the warm reception and hospitality.
In his good will message, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PZ Cusson Nigerian Plc, Mr. Dimitris Kostianis, represented by Mr. Samson Moju, Head Corporate Service and Project African leadership team said that PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc is ready and willing to continue to advance critical research in Nigeria through its commitment to upgrading laboratories of Nigerian knowledge institutions.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, expressed joy for the realization of their dream.
He said that the equipment came at the nick of time when the accreditation team came to the University for the accreditation of additional courses and all the sources were based on the equipment the accreditation team saw, adding that the partnership is a wonderful experience.
PZ Cussons has demonstrated its commitment to advancing critical research in Nigeria through its partnership with NOTAP.
The company is involved in three major projects, including the NOTAP-Industry Technology Transfer Fellowship (NITTF) and the Technology Story Board initiative.
End.
