MINISTER of Science and Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, has described products and innovations from military research and development as immensely important in developing the economy of the country, adding that Nigeria is breaking new grounds in technology innovation.
The minister spoke in Abuja, on Tuesday, at the first Nigerian Air Force Inter-Command and Most Innovative Research and Development Projects Competition and Exhibition.
According to her, “such research and development initiative would not only enhance the knowledge and skills of Air Force personnel, but it will also assist the service and the nation to better utilise available resources and boost the economy.”
She noted that the collaboration between the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian universities and other participants in the exhibition was inspiring.
In his remarks, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, said the Air Force would have been in comatose without research and innovation, using locally manufactured technologies to keep its planes flying.
Badeh added that the decision to look inwards and come up with ways of local manufacture of spare parts was timely, because of the current cash crunch in the country.
In his speech, the Air Force Chief of Standards and Evaluation, Air vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the objective of the programme was to build credible and sustainable capacity and to optimise local content on products and operational equipment.
He also said the programme enhanced operational effectiveness and efficiency of platforms of the Air Force, adding that it would bridge the gulf between conception and inception of innovative ideas.
Some of the products exhibited included unmanned ground vehicle for identification and disposal of improvised explosive devices, air craft battery compartment modification and pilot seat inspection jig with voice prompt.
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