Newsfront Online …Telling the Public as it is
By Joseph Robert
Akwa Ibom State has set the pace in science laboratory technology specialised training as a week-long workshops organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology, Ibadan have been rounded off in Uyo.
The two-fold training workshops which focused on knowledge Acquisition on Practical Use of Science Laboratory Kits and the Value of Laboratory Practical on Environmental and Social Impact Assessment drew participants from across the country.
Presenting certificates to the participants at the end of the workshops, the Commissioner for Science and Technology represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary, Mr. Imoh Udoh said the workshops were aimed at the development and advancement of the participants at work and in the profession.
Responding on behalf of the trainees, Mr. Kayode Oladipo of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Abuja thanked the Ministry and the Institute for the opportunity given them to participate in the training and promised to put it into good use.
Declaring the workshops open earlier, the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr. Imoh Moffat charged the participants to take the workshops seriously in order to justify the huge investment made to mount the workshops.
He applauded the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology for its partnership with the Ministry of Science and Technology to host the workshops and also expressed gratitude to the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for his support to the Ministry in the bid to fulfilling its mandate.
Dr. Moffat disclosed that in line with its human development drive, the State government has sponsored 21 staff of the Ministry for the training and expressed the hope that this will help to improve their capacities.
Also speaking, the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology, Mr. Yemi Gbadegesin commended the State government for its human development strides.
He hinted that Akwa Ibom is the first State in the country that the Institute has offered the rights to conduct specialised training in science laboratory technology, as the training hitherto was only obtainable in the Institute’s headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Mr. Gbadegesin congratulated the participants on the opportunity offered them to be the pioneer set for training in the State and assured them that seasoned resource persons had been engaged to anchor the workshops. He enjoined them to maximise the opportunity.
In their goodwill messages on the occasion, the Head of Civil Service, represented by Mr. Nsoyo Akai, the Vice Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, Prof. Nse Essien and the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, represented by Elder Uyoata Umoren felicitated the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology on the noble initiative and said the partnership will engender increased capacities for practitioners in the sector.
