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[QUOTE]Originally posted by bond006: [QB] Features Nigeria’s steady progress towards technological development Nigeria’s steady progress towards technological development By Foluso Akinwumi • Prof. Turner Isoun, Minister of Science and Technology Thursday, 6 July, 2006 will, definitely, remain indelible when history of technological achievement in Nigeria is documented. On that day, President Olusegun Obasanjo launched the Computer for All Initiative, (CANI) which will give more access to Nigerians to own computers in this age of information technology, and also commissioned the Gamma Irradiation Facility (GIF) as well as launched NICOSAN; a drug used for the management of sickle cell disorder. The last two projects have their respective plants at the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology. The Gamma Irradiation Facility is for the preservation, long shelf-life and judicious management of perishable foods and agricultural products while the NICOSAN is for the management of the sickle cell disease. An important benefit of these recent developments is the economic undertones they have. These are in the areas of employment, economic empowerment, poverty eradication etc. Undoubtedly, the launch of the NICOSAN drug is a demonstration of Nigeria’s resolve to speak in the most pragmatic term at the international level. The launch of the drug and its acceptance in America where it has been granted the status of “orphan drug” is a testimony that something good can come out of Nigeria considering the past when Nigeria used to be the home of fake drugs. It is a known fact that about 17 million people all over the world are suffering from this disease, and among these people are 4 million Nigerians. Therefore, the launch of NICOSAN will help these 17 million sickle cell patients in the world to manage the disease without any crisis as has been attested to by some of the patients who have been on the drug for over a year. The launch of NICOSAN on Thursday, July 6, 2006 by President Obasanjo has changed the story of sickle cell patients. With NICOSAN, the history of the disease will turn around for the better, bringing with it a change in the dramatic and unpleasant experience which sufferers go through all their lives. As a potent management drug for the treatment of SCD, NICOSAN has been described by experts as the ‘defeat of sickle cell disease’. The knowledge and expertise of this drug are all indigenous which makes it a major breakthrough and a plus for the Ministry of Science and Technology. President Obasanjo described the drug as a gift from Nigeria to the black race. Government in partnering with XECHEM, a private sector pharmaceutical company, will ensure that the NICOSAN drug is made available to all pharmaceutical stores in the next nine months. Meanwhile 30, 000 capsules have been produced in SHESTCO Abuja in XECHEM Laboratory to cater for the needs of those who are in need of the treatment, particularly those who have registered with XECHEM. In the words of the Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Turner Isoun, “the story of NICOSAN is an interesting one. From an obscure practice by traditional herbal practitioners in the management of the disease, medical science has learnt only recently the potency of these extracts from different plants in use by our ancestors.” He went to state that patients on NICOSAN remain the most authentic testimony to its viability and efficacy in the management of the disease. Their continued living without crises since they began using the drug inspires great confidence. It should be noted that NICOSAN is the first drug to be developed out of indigenous knowledge and it has undergone rigorous laboratory research leading to patent award. It is also the first drug to be exported from Nigeria to other part of world. According to Dr. Ramesh Pandev, the Chairman of XECHEM, it is expected to earn the country about 150 million dollars per annum in foreign exchange earnings. Again, the Gamma Irradiation Facility launched alongside NICOSAN by the President, has come as a great relief to Nigerians in various respects. Some of these are preservation of foods and agricultural products. These agricultural products include cereals, fruits, tubers, spices, as well as pest control. This is of great significance to the farmers who will no longer have to experience extreme losses of their farm produce. Before now it is on record that 55 per cent of farm products which would have been conserved are lost to pests, and other diseases, thereby incurring huge financial losses to farmers. All these will come to an end with the birth of the GIF, particularly as the irradiation plant has the capacity to treat 20 metric tonnes of products daily. Nigerian farmers are now encouraged to massively increase the production of these farm products for both the domestic and international markets. The facility in question can be used also in the microbial decontamination of meat, pork, poultry, sea foods like shrimps, crabs which will enjoy market appreciation. Nigerians definitely will enjoy the benefit of eating meat that is free of contaminants and the likes that can engender diseases. It must be pointed out here that irradiation treatment is competitive in the international market where Nigeria hopes to make a reasonable mark to earn foreign exchange. It is cheaper and more environmental- friendly. This is in addition to other advantages, such as savings from the use of chemical preservatives, improved wholesomeness of food and food products and safety of consumers. There is the overall demand at the standardized and competitive international market where Nigeria had always wanted her products to be patronized. Healthcare benefits would also be derived through the treatment of radio-sterilization of medical devices such as hypodermic needles, syringes, surgical blades, etc. Industrial and home needs are also to benefit from the Gamma Irradiation Facility through packaging and improvement of mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of materials such as plastics. Among them are cable wires, plastic pipes for hot water in hotels and other household use. It is also very important to note that the gamma Irradiation Plant in SHESTCO is acknowledged to be among the best in Africa and, indeed, one of the best in the world in terms of its facilities. The presence of Gamma Irradiation Facility at SHESTCO will open up a vista of investment opportunities in many sectors of the economy. Spin off industries are expected in agriculture and agro-allied sector, food processing, pharmaceutical, plastics, rubber and wood and furniture sectors, respectively, with high export potentials. The world is now a global village and the computer is the easiest way to access it. The computer for all Nigeria initiative is therefore a master stroke by this administration to the generality of Nigerians to own computers. The President also launched the computer for all Nigerian’s initiative. Under this project, the hitherto existing gap in the field of Information Technology would be drastically reduced with the sale of affordable computers to more Nigerians to participate in the knowledge economy. The CANI personal computer packages will be available to employees at up to 30 per cent discount off current market price. Apart from the direct deduction from payroll, employers will be encouraged to subsidize the package cost by 20 per cent, thus bringing the total cost of the personal computer to 50 per cent off the market prices. The digital divide which has so polarized the world will be bridged by this initiative. It should be stated here clearly that the Ministry of Science and Technology has been rejuvenated to its prime place in the nation’s development project. It is also worthy of note that this new dawn and experience has just begun, given the fact that the sector holds the key to accelerated growth that can affect all sectors. It is important that the Ministry does not relent, in its effort, which is to reach deep into the opportunities Science and Technology provide the country. According to Professor Isoun, the Ministry is now set to serve as the main driver in the next phase of NEEDS and the Nigerian economic transformation. This great achievement has helped Nigerian scientists to recover their self confidence. [/QB][/QUOTE]
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