In the global technology market, the steel exert enormous influence on trade and thus, greatly direct bilateral engagement of nations of steel.
For any country or nation to join the league of industrialised economies, it must be fully ready to harness its solid minerals on a global scale or standard.
This is because, solid minerals exploration is a force for economic development of any nation. To a large extent, it determines the fortunes of a nation as regard to economic transformation.
However, the Ajaokuta steel company has been neglected for decades, and conspiracy theories of the western world could hinder its operation.
To my dismay, successive administrations had failed in this critical segment and aspect of our national economy. The resultant effects are on the larger scale thus, clogging Nigeria’s growth.
Perhaps, the Nigerian government abandoned the steel company, Ajaokuta, because of oil. Its total neglect is the major reason for the nation unindustrialised and its current economic woe.
In fact, countries like China, Japan and et al, in the Asian continent have achieved a great feat in steel development and today, they direct the trends of steel transaction in the global market.
In addition, the philosophy which underpinned their striking achievement is predicated on the development of their education system in line with the research in technology and metallurgy.
For instance, China developed its steel industry with the help of different types of institutions.
The first type consist independent professional and research institute group, the former central Iron and research institute. It therefore focuses on research, refinement of ferrous and metallic materials.
The second type of institutions are universities that do not only provide lecturing for students and engineers but are also the basis for finding and research and technological developments.
Thus, the technological development is carried out in metallurgical and materials engineering serving the steel industry and its universities.
Further more, the universities do fundamental and applied researches as well as technology evolution. These types of research institutions mentioned above work in close collaboration with steel companies.
Here, I must sincerely and sufficiently honours and appreciates distinguished Senator Yakubu Oseni, for conceiving this brilliant idea of steel university, Ajaokuta, and for presenting the bill on the floor of the Senate, for public hearing!.
By this demonstration, it is significant for the critical stakeholders in the education sector to pull their intellectual resources and boundless energies in support of this bill so that the steel university, Ajaokuta can see the light of the day.
If the steel university, Ajaokuta is established, it will fostering global talent thus, contributing to the local and international community through advanced technology in metallurgical research.
I urge the Buhari’s led administration to be fully committed to the text and spirit of agreement that its entered into with the original builders of Ajaokuta Steel Company. Such agreement can ignites full operation of the moribund company.
– Ahmad Saka Bachido
Social and Political Commentator.
