By; Sani Aliyu, Zaria.
The Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has said Government is determined to partner with professional bodies interested in leather research fields to enhance economic growth and diversification drive.
The Minister stated this at an Annual Conference of Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists of Nigeria held at the Nigerian Institute of Leather Science Technology (NILEST), Zaria on Monday.
The conference had “Nigerian Leather and Leather Products Revolution in the 21st Century” as its theme.
Dr. Onu, who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Dr Nnenna Okoronkwo said such partnership would not only boost the economy but would revitalise the sector and create job opportunities to Nigerian youths.
“The leather will go a long way in actualising the diversification of the economy apart from creating jobs for the teaming unemployed youth.
“The growth and development of most countries of the world is driven by scientists and technologists like you,” he told the participants.
In his speech, the Director-General, NILEST, DR Isuwa Kari-Adamu, represented by the Director of Research and Development, Dr Amali Ejila said the history of leather in Nigeria dated back to about 500 years.
He noted with satisfaction that technology had overtaken a lot of things, saying: “The leather products of those days are not the products you found in the global markets today.
“A lot of ideas and innovation had gone into them. There is a great difference between what we have now and Nigerian hides and skins have been in the global market,” he said
