By Udu, C. E.
In a significant move towards bolstering local industrial development, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) paid a collaborative working visit to Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana (AIFPU). The visit, led by the Acting State Coordinator, Mr. Udu C. E, was aimed at exploring potential areas of collaboration between the two institutions, particularly in research and the utilization of local raw materials for industries.
The RMRDC delegation was warmly received by the Deputy Rector, Administration, Dr N. M. Ohaegbulem, alongside other Principal Officers of the Polytechnic at the Polytechnic in Ebonyi State.
Mr. Udu C. E. briefed on the purpose of the meeting, stressing the goal of RMRDC in fostering partnerships that could drive innovation and contribute to Nigeria’s industrial growth.
Giving the welcome address, Dr. N. M. Ohaegbulem expressed delight for the visit highlighting the Polytechnic’s dedication to advancing technical education and producing graduates equipped with the skills needed to support the nation’s industrial sector. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and research bodies like RMRDC, noting that such partnerships are crucial for the successful implementation of research findings in the industrial sector.
Mr. Udu in his remarks, praised the Federal Polytechnic for its numerous achievements and reiterated RMRDC’s mission to promote the development of local raw materials as a means of reducing Nigeria’s dependency on imported goods. He noted that the Polytechnic, being a research institution, is a critical and relevant stakeholder. He urged both institutions to leverage their resources on R & D for local raw materials development.
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During the interactive session, the Head of Department (HOD) of Ceramics and Glass Technology, Dr S. A. Iyasaka, said that the Department has recorded many R&D breakthroughs in ceramic but developed ceramic products were yet to be patented for their commercialization. He also said that the Department has fabricated various quality control equipment (prototype), adding that the Department has the capacity for the fabrication of industrial-size and research-scale gas kilns and furnaces.
Mr. Iyasaka, however, requested interventions for some equipment for the mass production of wall and floor tiles. The HOD of Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Engr. Dr. Ben Joshua said that the lack of material characterization centres is a serious challenge to R & D, explaining that material characterization at private centres is cost- and time-consuming. He expressed the desire for the intervention of the Council to establish a material characterization centre in Polytechnic.
“The centre, if established, will not only facilitate R & D in the Polytechnic but also, serve other research institutions, individual researchers and manufacturers, thereby generating huge internally generated revenue (IGR) for the collaborating agencies” Engr. Dr Ibe stressed.
Dr Agunanna, the HOD, Agriculture Technology, drew attention to Pro Vitamin A Cassava, as an industrial raw material with great potential for the production of cassava-based products. He noted the non-availability of process equipment to guarantee cassava value-addition as a serious challenge that requires attention for collaboration.
The HOD of Science Laboratory Technology, Uchendu, D. O. highlighted the ongoing research on the use of species of tea plants to produce Medi Tea for health benefits, to develop it for patent and commercialization.
Mr. Udu of RMRDC noted all the research proposals but said only those that meet the criteria and format of the Council could be considered for her R & D programme. He stressed that the Polytechnic Management has a crucial part to play in formalizing collaborations on R & D between the Council and the Polytechnic through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The Deputy Rector (Admin), in his closing remarks, assured that he would convey the discussions from the meeting to the Rector for a necessary follow-up.
The visit was concluded with a tour of the polytechnic’s laboratories and workshops on-the-spot assessment, where the RMRDC team was given a firsthand look at the facilities available for research and development.
