ABUJA (SUNDIATA POST)- Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, the Secretary General of the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), has called on the Nigerian government to provide unwavering support to Innoson Motors in line with the directives of Executive Order 5.
Prof. Ndubuaku made this call while addressing union members at the recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at ALGOS Suites and Hotel, Kubwa in Abuja.
In his remarks, Prof. Ndubuaku emphasized the importance of strengthening local industries like Innoson Motors, which is one of the leading indigenous car manufacturers in Nigeria. He urged the government to ensure that the company receives the necessary support, resources, and incentives to enhance its production capabilities, align with national development goals, and boost the nation’s economy.
This, he noted, would be in line with the objectives of the Presidential Executive Order No. 5, which focuses on promoting local content and innovation in the country’s industrial sector.
“This government must do everything it can to support indigenous manufacturers like Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Company Limited (IVM),” Prof Ndubuaku said. “By doing so, we will not only boost local production but also encourage sustainable growth in the research and development sector, which is key to our national development agenda.”
The ASURI Scribe noted that in its pioneering role, Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing had started producing CNG vehicles and engaged in CNG conversion before the nation woke up to it and thus deserved due recognition, encouragement and support from the Federal Government.
This year’s NEC meeting was unique in that it began with a Capacity Building Seminar aimed at discussing the broader impact of policies on research and innovation. The seminar, themed “The Expected Impact of Presidential Executive Order 5 and the National Research and Innovation Council/Fund on Research and Development Sector,” featured a keynote presentation by Engr. (Dr) Ibiam Oguejiofo, the National Coordinator/Chief Executive of the Strategy Implementation Office for Presidential Executive Order No. 5.
Dr. Oguejiofo provided a detailed overview of the objectives of Executive Order 5, which was designed to enhance local content in national development and promote the growth of Nigeria’s research and innovation sectors. His presentation also highlighted the critical role that the National Research and Innovation Council and the National Research and Innovation Fund will play in shaping the future of Nigeria’s industrial landscape.
Prof. Ndubuaku further noted that supporting indigenous companies like Innoson Motors aligns with ASURI’s commitment to promoting policies that foster innovation, improve research outcomes, and create sustainable job opportunities for Nigerians.
The meeting also included discussions on how universities and research institutions can better collaborate with industries to foster innovation and solve national challenges, particularly in technology and manufacturing sectors.
The call for government intervention to support local manufacturers like Innoson Motors resonated with the ASURI leadership, as it aligns with the union’s broader objectives to strengthen Nigeria’s research and development ecosystem and contribute to the country’s socio-economic growth.
The NEC meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from ASURI to work with both the government and industry stakeholders to implement policies that will drive sustainable research and innovation across the nation.
