Minister of Labour and Employment Simon Bako Lalong has charged Nigerian researchers to consolidate on their findings to create jobs and build the economy.
The Minister said this at the closing ceremony of the Maiden Edition of the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR) in Abuja.
Lalong said “The Innovation Pitching Event, which we have gathered to commemorate today, serves as an exceptional platform for academics and researchers to showcase their groundbreaking ideas and transform them into tangible solutions. These solutions have the potential to address pressing societal challenges, create job opportunities, and propel our nation towards sustainable development. I am confident that the invaluable experiences gained through this event will empower our scholars to contribute significantly to their fields and foster meaningful engagement at both national and international levels”.
He said as the beneficiaries of the inaugural edition of TETFAIR, they have been entrusted with a unique responsibility which requires them to be ambassadors of the remarkable project.
He urged them to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and innovation as they navigate the path ahead, urging them to let their successes be a testament to the transformative power of TETFAIR and a source of inspiration for future generations.
The Minister maintained that the Ministry of Labour and Employment will continue to support initiatives that foster innovation, stimulate economic growth, and generate employment opportunities.
He drew the attention of the Executive Secretary of TETFund to the Michael Imoudu Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) in Ilorin, Kwara State which he said needed support to deliver on its mandate.
“MINILS, as Africa’s foremost labour institution, has contributed significantly to the development of our nation’s workforce, yet it is yet to experience the transformative impact of TETFund’s initiatives. I humbly request your support and cooperation in enabling MINILS to compete on the global stage alongside other renowned labour institutes, thus furthering its capacity to produce skilled labour and meet the evolving demands of our labour market” he said.
Minister of State for Education Dr. Yusuf Sununu described the event as a very critical one for Nigeria which is in dire need of technological innovations for solutions to day to day challenges.
He said the Ministry of Education will continue to ensure that educational institutions translate research findings to tangible innovations useful for economic prosperity.
Senate Committee Chairman on Tetfund and his counterpart from the house of Representatives all gave assurances that the national assembly will make necessary budgetary provision and carry out robust oversight required to achieve the objectives of the programme.
The Minister of Labour and Employment later took a tour of the innovation products on display.
