NIP urges FG to empower institute to address technological lacunas

The Nigerian Institute of Physics, NIP, has called on the Federal Government to empower the NIP in order to facilitate a definite contribution from the NIP in addressing technological gaps across the country.

This call was made by the President, NIP, Professor H. O. Aboh, during the opening ceremony of NIP’s 44th annual conference, held at the Lagos State University of Science and Technology in Lagos.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Institute of Physics also conferred on the CEO FINLAB Nigeria Limited, Uzomba Nwaije, and 15 others, fellows of the institute during the opening ceremony.

Professor Aboh, while congratulating the recipients of memberships and awards, stated that the empowerment from the FG would also facilitate the improvement of the study of physics at the basic levels and physics researches at tertiary levels. Adding that any nation that neglects adequate funding of teaching, learning, research and other key engagements involving physics does so at it’s perils.

According to him, the theme of the conference, ‘Physics as a technological solution for sustainable development goals’, was carefully chosen, that NIP will have a definite contribution in addressing the observed lacuna in the National Integrated Infrastructural Master Plan, NIIMP, document and other areas of technological gaps in Nigeria.

He said, “Part of the unusually high rate of crime and criminality in the present day Nigeria is traceable to high rate of unemployment. At the last conference, I mentioned that the Research Unit of the Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, revealed that Nigerian’s technological base has not been able to provide sustainable economic development for the nation.

However, the steps taken by the FG to address this deficit is the establishment of the National Integrated Infrastructural Master Plan; which is expected to cost 3 trillion Dollars and covers core infrastructure such as Energy, Housing and ICT. The plan is expected to run from 2013 to 2043, and physics should play a key role in each of these identified three core areas.”

He further disclosed that the NIP is opening up frontiers for better service to the nation, calling on the Federal and state governments to tap the huge skilled human resources abounding in the NIP.

Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya, while delivering his goodwill message, also called on the institute to engage more to encourage interest to the teaching and learning of physics.

He said, “It is imperative that the application of physics be made more visible at the national level. I encourage the institute to leave a legacy of hosting the Conference in the Department of Physical Sciences. Our offering of Physics will present our students a unique opportunity to be relevant and highly selected among many industries.”