By Raphael Ekpang
Nigerian House of Representatives on Thursday passed for first reading a National Research and Innovation Council (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (HB, 697).
Also 51 other bills scaled the first reading on the floor of the Green Chambers precided over by the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Kalu.
Some of the bills sponsored by Hon. Alex Egbona include, Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act (Amendment)Bill. 2023 HB. 662 and Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act (Amended) Bill, 2023 (HB 663), among others sponsored by othe members
Core Reporters report that the bill shall be the vital funding component of the federal government approved national policy on Science, technology and Innovation (NPSTI) which was initiated since the 1960s as much-needed institutionalized fundings mechanism for research.
It would be recalled that the NRIC passed the third reading in the 9th Senate and first reading in the house of reps before the lifespan of the 9th assembly.
However, the Secretary General of Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku in his May , 2023, Workers Day speech called on President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the National Research and Innovation Council (NRIC) Establishment Bill, 2023.
In an interview with journalists over the Workers Day Celebration, Prof. Ndubuaku said many workers in research institutes are finding it difficult to carry out research because of lack of fund.
According to him, some of these Researchers carry out the research with their own personal fund and thereby making it difficult to achieve the desired result.
He noted that while inaugurating the present Governing Council of NRIC on the 7th of January 2016, barely six months after assuming office, President Buhari, in his capacity as the statutory Chairman of NRIC, expressed the hope that with NRIC, Nigeria would soon start producing Nobel Laureates.
He said despite being the Chairman of NRIC, Mr. President did not sign the NRIC Bill into law which was passed by 8th National Assembly.
According to him, due to appeal by ASURI and other relevant stakeholders, Buhari advised that the bill be re-introduced in the 9th National Assembly which has been done.
