By Muktar Tahir
The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, Suleiman Bogoro, has stressed the importance of research and development in the ongoing fight against insecurity in the country.
Mr Bogoro stated this recently while delivering a speech at a webinar organised as part of TETFund’s global engagement series tagged The Paradigm Shift: Institutionalisation of Research and Development in Nigeria’s Defence and Security Sector, under the chairmanship of Emeritus Prof. N.M Gadzama.
He said: “For those who ask what TETFund has to do with defense, I say that can only be the question of those that are ignorant.
“Defense is not possible without research. In the context of the technology that supports defense and security, and with the very unfortunate events of insecurity that is threatening virtually everything, tourism cannot subsist and education cannot stand.
“We are seeing insecurity leading to the closure of a number of institutions from primary schools to the tertiary level.
“That underlines the importance of the defense and security committee we have created to find a lasting solution to Nigeria’s security challenges.”
Mr Bogoro, therefore, commended the defense and security subcommittee for a job well done.
He said: “I’ve had the privilege of seeing their report, permit me with the depth of my heart to salute those that have governed this great job from the leadership of this committee, from the coordinator to the deputy, I appreciate all of you for the great job you have done.
“There is a lot of expectation from this committee coinciding with the time that insecurity is presently the greatest threat that is challenging responses from other sectors.
“If this committee gets it right and through it we get your recommendations moving forward it will be a major contribution to the ultimate outcome which will proffer the emergence of the national R&D foundation.
“Should that happen, we know and I remain positive the draft committee for the R&DF will be inaugurated.
“We are almost two months behind schedule but I’m confident that we will continue to succeed from one step to another.
“I take advantage of this information to reassure you that we are on the right track.
“On behalf of management and the board of trustees of TetFund once more I say god bless you all.”
In his presentation, the Coordinator of Defence and Security Group of RDSC, AVM O.J Osahor, stressed the importance of institutionalisation of research and development in the country, saying that doing so would enhance both kinetic and non-kinetic efforts of the Federal Government in managing the country’s security challenges.
Aside from research and development, the lead presenter stressed that security management is the business of every Nigerian, adding that to help the country out of its present situation, security problems should not be left to the government alone.
According to him, all other stakeholders should put their hands together in infusing fresh ideas aimed at professing lasting solutions to the management of insecurity in the country.
Mr Osahor said: “We must not continue to depend on other countries for our defence solutions. Our dependence on foreign sources for military hardware is very risky because when we are in dire straits, political and other constraints may block attempts to procure equipment and spare parts from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM).
He, therefore, advised the Federal Government to constitute a committee comprising members of the academia, industries and the AFN to brainstorm and develop the needed unique Defence solutions to address the country’s security challenges.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that at the end of Mr Osahor’s presentation, an opportunity was created for participants to speak their minds.
To sum it all, the participants agreed that the aspect most captivating has to do with the poor link between industries and academia.
“I agree with the presenter that if this area is strengthened, we will be able to find lasting solutions to some of our teething problems,” one of the participants said.
