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Investing in human capital development and staff motivation is at the heart of repositioning the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) into into a global powerhouse of science, technology and innovation (STI), said Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the agency, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu.
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He spoke in Abuja at a 5-Day training for information, new media and protocol staff of NASENI.
“We are building a new NASENI where one of the overarching goals is to have well trained employees with knowledge and requisite technical, vocational and management skills required for the Agency’s growth and technology advancement. He said this reorientation would equip us to bring to fruition the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration and also the Eight Priority Areas of the administration,” said Halilu.
NASENI’s mission is to drive Nigeria’s rapid industrialization through “the new three Cs of Collaboration, Creation and Commercialization,” he added,
According to him, NASENI has embarked on new partnerships and collaborations aimed at turning its over 150 scientific and technological prototypes, products and intellectual properties rights (IPR) into finished products.
his words: “We have signed multibillion dollars new Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) and revived old ones with international technical partners to establish coal-based fertilizer plant, Lithium processing and Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for Agric afforestation, smart solar irrigation, tractor repairs and crop traceability for food security.”
The intensive training programme will enable staff of the agency to catch-up with the current trends and international standards required for mastering the intricacies of new media and protocol strategies that would take the agency to greater heights.
Adding: “We have assembled about 41 staff responsible for information and protocol activities from our headquarters and institutes to benefit from this training. This training will upskill the crop of staff to communicate our new strategy and partnerships to different publics.”
NASENI’s Coordinating Director, Engineering Infrastructure, Prof. Bagudu Dansheu Gwadangaji urged the staff to adapt to new media and protocol strategies to ensure the continued success and relevance of NASENI. He was represented by Dr. Olayode Olasupo.
The Coordinating Director, Science Infrastructure, Prof Umar Ibrahim Gaya stated that the theme of the training was timely as it will equip participants with necessary skills and tools to combat fake news which can affect organizations negatively.
“When you talk about NASENI, so many things come to mind. As an Agency with first line charge from the Federation Account, there is likely to be fake news out there about us. Therefore, this training will help equip the participants to separate information from misinformation and misrepresentation,” said Gaya.
Director of Information, Protocol and New Media Unit, Mr. Segun Ayeoyenikan stressed that in an era defined by rapid advancement, the training was a crucial step towards navigating the complexities of digital age, adding that the new slogan in the media profession and business world is “You either communicate or you are easily forgotten, because of the complexities or sophistication of the society wherein we live today.
“The Information, New Media and Protocol Department play a critical role of projecting the image, products, mission and vision of the agency amongst its technology end-users and critical stakeholders.”
