Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu has disclosed that Nigeria will start producing its own pencils in the year 2018. Speaking with DailyTrust, Onu expressed hope that the plan would have a “meaningful impact” on the economy, because the wide aim of the ministry is to “commercialise developed ideas and research findings to principal levels”.

The minister, however, declined further comments on the importance of pencil production, saying Nigerians would be amazed at the multiplier effects, which will include the creation of at least 400,00 jobs.

“Yes, I have heard questions on why pencils. We chose pencils to symbolize the problems that we have and our commitment to local production. To produce pencils, we need wood, graphite, rubber for the eraser and possibly, we will need aluminium to hold the rubber in place. Then, we may need paint to give it colour. But even if we don’t add paint or rubber, already we have a pencil and it will write.

Now, we have all the things to produce a pencil, which is used by a large number of people from our young pupils to engineers, and it looks simple to produce, yet we have not been able to produce it. That is why we talked about producing pencils.

“We have asked PRODA (the Projects Development Agency) to ensure Nigeria starts producing pencils in two years. It is actually not PRODA’s mandate to produce the pencils. No. PRODA is just to do the holistic research on pencil production in Nigeria. Somebody can start producing pencils here and will still be importing the wood, the graphite, the rubber, bringing in everything. No, that is not what we want.

“We want PRODA to do research to make the production process totally local. We have to treat the graphite to conform to the required standard for good quality production. We also have to work on the type, quality and shape of the wood to be used. The local content will also be total. This is PRODA’s assignment. When PRODA is through with its job, it is the private sector that will come in to do the production and we will see the benefits. When production of pencils begins, Nigerians will be amazed at the multiplier effects. It will create a minimum of 400,00 jobs.

“There will be the small-scale entrepreneurs that will do the beneficiation of the graphite, that is, prepare it for pencil production; there will be small-scale entrepreneurs that will prepare the rubber to be used as an eraser for pencils; and there will also be small-scale entrepreneurs that will also prepare the wood for the appropriate use. Can we imagine creating jobs for 100,000 people. The results will be amazing!

“PRODA has confirmed that there is not a single pencil-producing factory in Nigeria and even in West Africa. This is why we are worried. We know this is a technology we can easily handle. Beyond that, the number of jobs we will create in starting pencil production is very encouraging. It will also be good for the image of the nation,” he said.

Speaking further, Onu added, “The pencil-production idea will make meaningful impact on the economy. It will certainly do. The wide aim of the ministry is to commercialise ideas, research findings, etc that we have developed to principal levels. And there are so many of them.

“The FIIRO (Federal Institute of Industrial Research) alone has developed more than 250 research studies up to the point of commercialization. And in incubation, we have an agency in charge that has done up to 1000 products. I have many of the products myself, and these are things we use on daily basis.

“Our major task now is to get these products into the market, but if they are not commercialised, and maintained, how can people know they exist? We can then start creating jobs. Government will also start earning revenues from the taxes these producers will pay to government to do many things,” he assured

The federal government says it is ready to partner with Magnus aircraft industry in Hungary to commence complete manufacturing of aircraft in Nigeria before the end of Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in 2023.

Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, disclosed this while on an inspection visit to the Magnus Aircraft Industry in Pogany, Hungary. He noted that the partnership is to assemble airplanes locally, from start to finish. “If we venture with them, we may start with assembling plants and later manufacturing,” Sirika said.

Sirika explained that the Magnus aircraft has an aeroplane that is good for military training, has an aerobatic manoeuvre and is made of fully composite materials high strength and very lightweight.

The minister noted that aerobatics is the practice of flying manoeuvres involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flights. Aerobatics are performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment, and sport.

Sirika further expressed satisfaction with the features and more than willing to facilitate the production of the aeroplanes in Nigeria, saying one of the significant features of the Magnus aircraft is that it uses normal car petrol and outperforms any training aircraft of its kind”

The minister who was at the facility on the invitation of the company said the proposed partnership with the aircraft manufacturer will be subjected to further analysis to verify the market and government willingness to partner with a significant amount of money and logistics.

He emphasised that the local production of aircraft in the country will facilitate the growth of Nigeria as a regional aviation superpower as it will also come with maintenance and repair facilities that will attract patronage from neighbouring countries.

The federal government says that Nigeria will commence local manufacturing of vehicles before the end of this year.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, disclosed this at the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers and the Nigerian Automative Manufacturers Association’s meeting in  Abuja on Friday, May 3.

Uzoka-Anite said funds to grow the nation’s automotive industry have been made available to local manufacturers.
According to the minister, it was vital to source made-in-Nigeria vehicle materials locally.

She seized the occasion to inform all stakeholders, including manufacturers, dealers, regulatory bodies, and other players in the automobile ecosystem, to key into the Nigerian Automotive Development Policy, and start making the desired contribution to the nation’s economy. The African Association of Automotive Manufacturers is an organisation dedicated to the industrialisation and development of the automotive sector across Africa.

The association works with governments to shape policies, attract investors, and support the economic potential of the continent, by promoting sustainable and affordable mobility solutions.Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, the association primarily serves the automotive industry, including manufacturers, investors, and policymakers.

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has disclosed plans to produce laptops, android smartphones, lithium batteries and solar street lamps. The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NASENI, Khalil Halilu, made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja during a media briefing. He said the production of the materials were part of efforts to develop national brands to compete with other products on the market.

He said the production would contribute to oyster existing products that include solar irrigation system, electric keke, electric motorcycles and solar-powered cargo tricycles. He emphasized that the agency is tasked with domesticating technology both capital and consumer goods.

He said the agency had adopted a fast track approach and was fully interested in Technology Transfer and Commercialization of its research and development (R&) products, adding that all these efforts were aimed at creating jobs, wealth and reducing import bills for the nation.

According to Halilu, the agency had embarked on its 3C principles of creation, collaboration and commercialization with both public and private sectors strategic partners to ensure that the agency does not only embark on research but also take the products to end users.

When asked on strategies it would use to ensure the products will not end up in the trash of history, he said: “We know Nigeria is a very competitive market but we are super charging our business development unit.”

“The main reason is because we need to provide a better value for cheaper price, considering the kind of market we have, otherwise we are out of market. We are trying all our best to ensure we deliver right value to our customers,” he added.

While stating that the products will be available in the market, he said NASENI was looking at avenue to part with other government agencies to make the products available in every local government of the country as well as exploring the use of agents.

He added that the products were part of partnership with the private sector with the agency exploring the manufacturing of the first solar mounting ramp in West Africa.

He listed some of the achievements and ongoing activities of the agency to include the development of NASENI Proposal Evaluation Portal, NASENI Growth Hacker, NASENI ERP, NASENI eProcurement, NASENI StemBox, NASENI Innovation Hub, PICTT, among others.

Racoon:
"Nigeria to start producing own pencils by 2018" – Ogbonnaya Onu
https://dailypost.ng/2016/02/01/nigeria-to-start-producing-own-pencils-by-2018-onu/

"Nigeria to commence manufacturing of aircraft before 2023." - Hadi Sirika

Ok na

https://www.thecable.ng/nigeria-to-commence-manufacturing-of-light-aircraft-before-2023-says-sirika/amp/

"Nigeria to start manufacturing cars before December 2024" – FG
https://politicsnigeria.com/nigeria-to-start-manufacturing-cars-before-december-2024-fg/

Nigeria To Start Producing Mobile Phones, Laptops Others – NASENI

https://dailytrust.com/nigeria-to-start-producing-mobile-phones-laptops-others-naseni/

FitCorper:
Stay there de wait make government spoon feed you. No open brain learn skill wey go fetch u correct money. In Buhari’s voice “Lazy Nigeria yoots, they always want everything handed to them”

Racoon:
Promise and failed because crooked corrupt people kept on occupying political offices who have weaponised lies and propaganda as official policies of governance. How long would Nigeria will continue in this vicious cycle?

Cindypresh:

Apc is evil... association of past criminals.


BATerians are the definition of the slaves that love their chains...very pathetic

Cindypresh:


BATerians AKA voluntary slaves are very easy to spot

Cindypresh:

Apc is evil... association of past criminals.


BATerians are the definition of the slaves that love their chains...very pathetic

FitCorper:
Stay there de wait make government spoon feed you. No open brain learn skill wey go fetch u correct money. In Buhari’s voice “Lazy Nigeria yoots, they always want everything handed to them”

FitCorper:
Stay there de wait make government spoon feed you. No open brain learn skill wey go fetch u correct money. In Buhari’s voice “Lazy Nigeria yoots, they always want everything handed to them”