Management of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike in Abia State, South-East Nigeria has been advised to take advantage of the abundant plant resources available to it to bridge the gap in the production of pharmaceutical products and to guarantee food security for the country.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Esuabana Nko-Asanye said this while inaugurating the upgraded Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Laboratories of the University.
The Federal Government pointed out that the laboratories upgrade project is a deliberate strategy of the National Office For Technical Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP, to promote research, Innovation, and development in selected Nigeria universities.
Nko-Asanye explains that the intention is to have research facilities that can conduct top quality research development and innovation for commercial purposes
Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Maduebibisi Iwe, notes that the science equipment donated to the institution will go a long way in boosting the capacity of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry students and enhance their scientific expertise.
Professor Iwe however appealed to the Abia State Government to release title document to the over 2,000 hectares of land to enable the university make use of it for the good of the people and Nigeria.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
