Dr. Alhassan Zaku: Setting New Agenda for Science and Technology

By Segun Imohiosen

With the recent cabinet reshuffles of the government of President Umaru Musa Yar' Adua, a number of changes took place that generated  quite a lot of hues and cries from both within the public service and in the private sector. Of course this ought to be expected since it is the norm. However, in spite of all of these changes, a number of ministers remained within the same ministries but got an upgrading while some others were given new appointments to new ministries and others lost out outrightly.

In the face of all of these, Dr. Alhassan Bako Zaku, former Minister of State in the Ministry of Science and Technology got a lifting to a full fledged Minister of the same ministry. There is no doubt about the fact that this gentleman from Taraba has worked assiduously and closely knitted with his former colleague Chief Grace Ekpiwhre in the same ministry without any hitch.

In a very simple, thought provoking handing over at a farewell with the staff of the ministry, the former Minister showered encomiums on Dr. Alhassan Bako Zaku for his understanding and the laudable support he gave her in the cause of carrying out their assignments as ministers of the same ministry. She pointed out that she has never enjoyed such invaluable support. He is referred to as a veritable team player; an unassuming man who has successfully co piloted the affairs of the ministry with a strong sense of purpose, commitment and direction.

There is no gainsaying the fact that in spite of the hitches that are a must in running the affairs of ministries, the two ministers recorded noteworthy achievements in establishment of Science parks, telemedicine projects, provision of science equipment workshops in tertiary institutions, redesigned strategies for commercialisation of R&D results, selection of suitable site for the Nuclear Energy Plant and a host of other feats.

As it were, it is a new dawn of greater challenge for the new Minister because the ministry is a critical one that has a role to play on virtually every other ministry and sector in the position of a service provider. As such, handling the affairs of this ministry calls for a more systematic and practical approach. It is often said that "To whom much is given, much is required". This is a time in the administration of Mr. President that all hands have to be on deck in order to make a meaning and success of the 7 Point Agenda and to equally in a very concerted manner see to it that the MDG objectives are actualised. In this vein, it simply translates that Dr. Alhassan Bako Zaku having taken over as the full fledged Minister of Science and Technology will have to marshal all critical forces positively piquant to the success of his office to assist in helping him to achieve his God given responsibility and assignment of piloting the ship of the ministry to a safe haven. He can not rest on his oars by depending on the feats and achievements of the past. But his experience over the years as a scholar, teacher, and administrator must play a vital and pivotal role in making a success of his present challenge. By this I mean the bottleneck of having to seek clarification from the senior Minister is already out, to brain storm with the former colleague is also out, as such, there is an urgent need for him to step up on his own to readily face headlong the enormous task in his domain as it were. It is true two heads are better than one but at this point, a lot lies on his shoulder to handle and with a conscious desire with strong commitment, he will succeed considering his track record.

At this point, Dr. Zaku has to take on a fresh fire into his belly to be able to face the dragons that will stare him right in the face. The ministry of Science and Technology most likely has the highest number of parastatals such as NIGCOMSAT, NASRDA, NARICT, NNMDA, CHELTECH, SHESTCO, NITDA, NABDA, FIIRO, NISLT, NACETEM, NBTI, and NITR and so on. So, in a situation like this, the task is onerous, to coordinate the affairs of these entire agencies put together along side their Director-Generals is no mean feat. In this regard, much commitment and total support of his officials and staff is germane to his success.

In the recent development following the alleged crash of NigComSat – 1, the $311m flagship Nigerian Satellite launched in May 2007 in China, the crisis generated by this incident was rather disturbing to the nation as a great embarrassment and was too counter productive with regards to expectations. In furtherance, the comments on most of the online fora on this incident were very shameful in that response from the stable of the custodians of this office was not convincing enough to the people. So, it was like making a mockery of the entire thing. In this regard, much has to be done in order to carry the citizenry along without being misled and the right information given on any issue relating to science and technology in order to get not just the people convinced but the entire world. It is a global village as it is said and the entire world anyhow must be kept in the know.

In the moments immediately following an emergency, information is critical. Reliable real time access to source of information can make all the difference in a situation where seconds are crucial. This is why being considered for this appointment goes to show how important this particular appointment and responsibility is to the government. And this creates yet another challenge in responding to matters of urgent need where what is given to the people as information is very paramount. There is a need for the minister to be proactive in this new office to bring to rest any fear that is likely to arise in the face of issue relating to Science and Technology.

My take in this is that NIGCOMSAT is just one of the numerous agencies of science and technology ministry and so handling all of them in the face of any eventuality will need a wholesome and holistic approach. And to tackle any issue generated from any of them, right information is key to give room to sustainability.

Finally, I am convinced and persuaded that with the track record of this erudite scholar coupled with prayers, he will succeed. So, to be able to pilot this ship to a safe haven, Dr. Alhassan Bako Zaku needs the support of all. The Ministry of Science and Technology is one very significant ministry to the nation that has quite a powerful role to play in positioning the country among the comity of nations. Economically, Science and Technology Ministry cannot be down played at all. Nevertheless, the government will need to accord it more attention than ever before. In fact funding is critical to realising the mandate of the ministry.

segunimohiosen@yahoo.com
Segun Imohiosen