Emmanuel OchayiMr. Khalil Halilu, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), has called on the agency’s management staff to provide innovative ideas to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda of transitioning vehicles to alternative fuels, aiming to reduce the cost of living for Nigerians.
Mr. Halilu expressed this directive while receiving briefings from the Managing Directors of NASENI’s ten Development Institutes, located in Enugu, Minna, Awka, Okene, Nnewi, Kano, Jalingo, Akure, Ilesha, and Nasarawa.
He emphasized the importance of these briefings, stating, “Our Institutes are the engines of NASENI’s innovation, and these briefings by each Institute are critical as we work together to craft the future of NASENI, as it relates to delivering on the President’s socio-economic agenda.”
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In addition to the Managing Directors, Team Leads of various NASENI projects, and the Agency’s Research Directors, also presented their ongoing projects and efforts to the EVC.
These briefings, which began on Monday, September 18, 2023, precede the EVC’s scheduled tour of NASENI facilities across the institutes in October.
On Tuesday, September 19, Mr. Halilu inaugurated a committee aimed at addressing staff welfare issues. This initiative aligns with his commitment to make NASENI “a public sector employer of choice in Nigeria.” The committee, composed of middle-level and junior staff, is tasked with developing a Human Resources (HR) revamp plan for NASENI, recognizing the critical role played by junior staff.
To conclude the week, the EVC paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.
During the meeting, discussions focused on opportunities for collaboration in advancing research in methanol production, lithium mining, and natural medicine.
Mr. Halilu expressed optimism, stating that both institutions were “keen to jointly commercialize existing research outputs” and added, “I have no doubt that NASENI has a strong and committed partner in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.”
On the same day, Mr. Halilu met with Mustapha Gajibo, a young Nigerian innovator based in Maiduguri, Borno State, specializing in converting petrol-fired vehicles to use gas and solar energy.
The EVC commended Gajibo’s innovative work, stating, “There’s no limit to what young Nigerians can achieve in science and technology, and at NASENI, we want to be a part of these inspiring stories from every corner of the country.”
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