Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Projects Development Institute (PRODA), Enugu, Hon. Donatus Agu, has said that the institute is at the forefront of technological innovation in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Agu stated this while addressing journalists after the board’s familiarisation tour of the institute’s facilities in Enugu.
The board chairman, who is a former Commissioner for Education in Abia State, said the visit was to enable members to see things for themselves and to interact with both management and staff.
“PRODA will no longer be a name in history; it will take the lead in Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda to advance Nigeria’s technology drive.
“I am here to partner with you, to solve problems, and together we will take PRODA to greater heights,” he said.
Agu described the products being developed by the institute as “fantastic and technology-driven,” noting that the Federal Government would do all that is necessary to encourage more research and development at the centre.
He added that the government was determined to make PRODA a pacesetter in Nigeria’s quest for technological advancement and a benchmark for assessing the nation’s technological growth.
Agu also called on the private sector to partner with the institute to harness its technological breakthroughs for national development, adding that “a lot is going on here.”
He commended the management of the institute, led by Director-General Dr. Peter Ogbobe, for their industriousness and pledged the government’s total support for the agency in driving Nigeria’s technological growth.
According to him, with the Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria cannot afford to remain stagnant, especially in the area of technology development. He urged all stakeholders, including the media, to publicise PRODA’s activities to enable Nigerians, particularly those in the private sector, to patronise its products.
Speaking earlier, the Director-General of PRODA, Dr. Peter Ogbobe, thanked the board chairman and members for visiting the institute.
Ogbobe noted that since his assumption of office on June 4, 2022, the institute had prioritised advocacy for value reorientation and enhanced research and development activities.
“We have always embraced a participatory technology system where all hands are engaged,” he said.
He disclosed that in recent times, PRODA had focused its efforts on the design and development of agro-produce processing machines.
“We have progressed from developing single-unit operation machines for semi-mechanised processes to building fully mechanised flow-line systems with semi-automation,” he explained.
Ogbobe further stated that beyond research, the institute had intensified staff training and capacity building, providing researchers with essential tools such as laptops and computers.
“We have also launched fibre optic cables to boost internet connectivity, with a view to improving research and development efforts at the institute,” he added.
