Onu tasks research institutes on production of affordable sporting equipment

The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology has urged research institutes under the ministry to intensify effort in producing affordable sporting equipment that will empower Nigeria to excel in international competitions.

Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister of Science and Technology, gave the advice when he received “RIGAN 2019 Hosting Right Flag for NBRRI OTA 2019“ from Prof. Rabiu Adamu, the President, Research Institute Games Association of Nigeria (RIGAN).

According to him, such effort will create added value to the nation’s sporting equipment and help sportsmen and women to excel in competitions.

Onu said the National Institute of Leather Science and Technology (NILST) and the National Research for Chemical Technology (NARICT) had produced high-quality football of international standard to promote sporting activities.

He said their efforts had started yielding results of creating jobs and reducing poverty in the country.

“We want sports to be not just for entertainment but also to develop the industry; one that is capable of offering employment to our people and also capable of helping us to create wealth and defeat extreme poverty.

“It will also help Nigerians to produce jobs for our young people that are not directly involved in sporting activities.

“Largely, this will play a major role in the production and marketing of sporting equipment as a way of growing our economy, he said.

The minister commended the association for its contributions to sports development in the country.

According to him, sports are very important in nation building and remained a major instrument for national integration.

He said sports encouraged a great sense of oneness as it strengthened togetherness.

Earlier, Adamu said the purpose of the game was to enable staff to interact, exchange ideas and promote friendly rivalry among the institutes.

“It is also to promote research institutes and give them the platform to exhibit their products and showcase their activities.

“The competition, which is for the staff of research and development institutes in Nigeria is held every two years,” he said.