By Peter Amine
Jos – Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has promised to support any research effort that would enhance his administration’s economic diversification efforts.
Lalong made the promise on Monday in Jos when he received the Senior Executive Course 39 Group Four of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.
The NIPSS Senior Executive Course 39 Group Four chose Plateau for its study on “Science, Technology and Innovation Development on Agriculture and Agro-allied Industries in Nigeria”.
The governor described the topic as a timely response to Nigeria’s current economic challenges which followed decades of dependence on crude oil and neglect of agriculture sector.
Lalong urged them to come up with fresh insights on ways to curb waste and maximise the gains from perishable farm products.
Dr Emmanuel Mamman, the Leader of the delegation and Librarian of the Institute, said their goal was to find out what the state government had been doing in the agriculture and agro-allied industries in relation to science and technology.
Mamman said their findings would be published and presented at a plenary and expressed optimism that the governor would be present at the event.