Vision 20/2020: AFIT must match word with action
//Godwin Ekosin, Kaduna//
SECRETARY to Adamawa State Government, Dr. Umar Bindir, yesterday said if Nigeria will realize her vision 20/2020, then every of her policy statement must be implemented by a way of measuring achievement on yearly basis.
The adamawa born public speaker, who stated this while speaking as guest lecturer at the 45th Convocation lecture of Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), headquartered in Kaduna, lamented that past efforts by previous leaders in the country were not yielding any substantial results because technology, science and innovations have not been brought together to transform the country from been consumer to producer.
The paper, titled ‘Developing Indigenous Approach to Aviation Development in Nigeria: AFIT Peespective, according to the speaker was carefully selected to open the eyes of young Nigerians, policy makers, and general public to the need to transfer and domesticate technology available within the country to move the country from where it is to where it ought to be as acclaimed giant of Africa.
“Nigeria lack skills in moving technology to where it is needed. They are conceived, designed, produced and kept there in ABU, Zaria, Kaduna Polytechnic, AFIT and so on instead of taking them to farmers, industrialists, that will use them to turn around the fortunes of the country.
“For instance, past efforts like green revolution, SAP, indigenization policy, WAI, 7 points agenda, transformation agenda and now change mantra, are all good initiatives if truly domesticated. That is why one wonders when we are talking about economy diversification when farmers are still using sticks to process the rice that cannot be accepted in international communities because it contain sand due to poor processing.
“So, we need to match words with action by measuring achievement towards vision 20/2020 on a yearly basis and not just counting seasons while we fold our hands and wait for that target year to come. That is why institutes like AFIT must become production and industrial centres”, he added.
To achieve that he continued, “if you want to be creating jobs, to be respected and also start to be producing things, you have to recognize that knowledge is very important. It is knowledge that will push you to that level.
“Now, we need to start with education. Once there is a disease in educational system you will not be able to produce the right materials needed to capture the knowledge that is required to push the system to reach the next level.
“What I’m saying in essence is that for us to domesticate knowledge, skills and competencies to solve our potable water problem, health problem, jobs and be respected by other countries; we must get it right through the educational research system”, he stressed.