PREAMBLE

The sixth (6^th) Kaduna State Science and Science and Technology Week with the theme “Science, Technology and the 11 Point Agenda” organized by the Kaduna State Ministry of Science and Technology took place at the Ministry’s Multipurpose Complex, Kaduna from Monday 9^th – Thursday 12^th November, 2009.

The Objective of the programme included:

·         Promotion and popularization of Science and Technology Activities in the State.

The programme attracted 64 Participants which comprised Science Secondary Schools, Tertiary institutions, manufacturers, Ethno-medicine, Indigenous Technologists and dignitaries which included the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Alhassan Bako Zaku, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Patrick I. Yakowa, Special Adviser to Honourable Minister, Dr. Muhammad Sani Bello Honourable Commissioner Ministry of Science and Technology Kaduna State, Hajiya Rakiya Musa Permanent Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology Kaduna, Mr. Gambo Garba, Director General NOTAB Abuja represented by Abubakar Nuhu Koko, NOTAB Abuja, Dr. Baba Jibrin Adamu ICT Abuja, Honourable Matthew Gwaza Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Kaduna State on Science secondary School matters, Alhaji Balarabe Idris Jigo Permanent Secretary Bureau for Religious Affairs on Islamic Matters, Mrs. G.I. Adams, representative of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Dr. Ali Hassan, Head of Biology Faculty of Science Kaduna State University, Mr. Ishaya Dare Akau, Provost, Kaduna State College of Education Gidan Waya, Directors of the |Ministry of Science and Technology, Mallam Suleiman Aliyu Rector Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Zaria, News Media, Distinguished personalities, students from secondary schools, tertiary institutions, Business Apprenticeship Training Centres and exhbitors.

The keynote address was presented by the Director, Biotechnology Centre A.B.U. Zaria Prof. Jonathan Andrew Nok MFR, while the welcome address was presented by the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Science and Technology, Kaduna State Dr. Muhammad Sani Bello.

The programme was declared opened by the Executive Governor of Kaduna State His Excellency, Architect Mohammed Namadi Sambo (FNIA) who was ably represented by the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency Mr. Patrick I. Yakowa.

There were various science exhibition stands drawn from Science and Technical Secondary Schools and tertiary institutions within the State.

Two papers were presented during the seminar session.  The presentations were as follows:

1.   Science and Technology as the Bedrock for Social and Economic Development in Kaduna State by Prof. Mohammed Mamman Director General Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis and Onchorcerciasis Research (NITR) Kaduna.

2.   The fundamental issues of the 11-point Agenda as it affects Science and Technology in Kaduna State by Professor C.E. Gimba, Department of Chemistry Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.

Observations

Arising from the paper presentations and discussions, the participants noted the following challenges as germane to promoting science and technology in line with the 11 point agenda of Kaduna State.

·         Innovations in Science and Technology in Nigeria remains largely unexploited thereby creating enormous opportunities for wealth creation.

·         Low exploitation of the abundant innovations of students and entrepreneurs in Kaduna State.

·         Agricultural training should be introduced in Business Apprenticeship Training Centres for increased productivity in the State.

·         The State has lagged behind in scientific and technological innovations and so encouragement in terms of finance and manpower development should be given to students and entrepreneurs as incentives.

·         Low level of participation/involvement of statkeholders at the Science and Technology Week.

·         Exclusion of Science and Tech nology as a separate item in Governor Mohammed Namadi Sambo’s 11 point agenda.

Recommendations

In light of the above observations, the following recommendations were made:

·         State Government should adopt good science and technology policies that will boost innovations and invention at the grassroot sector.

·         The State Government needs to intervene particularly in key areas of science and technology to providing the platform for industrial activities to blossom.

·         Failed projects like the Ginger factory in Kachia, Tomatoes Processing Plant at Ikara, just to mention but a few should be given uppermost consideration by resuscitating them.

·         Government should give some certain amount of money to work and improve on some good projects that were selected during project exhibitions especially from the participating secondary and tertiary institutions.

·         Increased awareness of the Science and Technology Week at the grassroot sector.

·         The Federal, State and Local Government should provide adequate environment for science and technology to thrive. Appropriate incentives should be provided in order to boost creativity and innovation among science students in Kaduna State.

Conclusion

The participants wish to thank the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency, Architect Namadi Sambo (FNIA), Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Alhassan Bako Zaku, Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Science and Technology, Kaduna State, Dr. Muhammad Sani Bello, Permanent Secretary, Kaduna State Ministry of Science and Technology, Hajiya Rakiya Musa and all other Dignitaries mentioned above.  Special thanks go to the facilitators for their presentations, the planning Committee for the Science and Technology Week, the media and Security for their services rendered which resulted to a hitch free programme.  We are very grateful to the Kaduna State Ministry of Science and Technology for providing the resources for this programme.

Dated this day Thursday 12^th November, 2009.