By Sumaila Ogbaje
Retired Maj.-Gen. Nnaemeka Maduegbunam, former Director-General of DICON, has urged Nigeria to harness indigenous talents to achieve self-reliance in science and technology.
Maduegbunam made the call in his book, “We Can Do It: Towards Nigeria’s Self-Reliance in Science and Technology,” scheduled for public presentation on Thursday in Abuja.
In a statement on Tuesday, he said the book documented his military career and experiences in developing home-grown engineering solutions to national challenges, particularly in defence production.
Maduegbunam, a mechanical engineer, said Nigerians possessed the ingenuity and creativity required to make significant contributions to the country’s science and technology ecosystem.
He said the book was also an attempt to document lessons on leadership, discipline, self-reliance and nation building from his 34 years of military service.
According to him, a major focus of the book is his tenure as DICON Director-General, where he demonstrated the potential of indigenous expertise in reviving Nigeria’s defence manufacturing capacity.
Maduegbunam said he assumed leadership of DICON in February 2006 and encountered largely dormant machinery and production facilities.
According to the book, he subsequently revived the machines within five months and commenced production of weapons for the Nigerian military.
He attributed the breakthrough to committed leadership and support from the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Maduegbunam recalled that during Obasanjo’s first visit to DICON on Sept. 30, 2006, the former president expressed disappointment over the state of the facilities.
He said he nevertheless assured the president that the machines could be restored, declaring, “We can do it. We can restore the machines, sir.”
The encounter, according to him, became a turning point that triggered renewed energy, innovation and achievements at DICON.
The retired general said the experience demonstrated that Nigeria could overcome technological constraints when indigenous expertise was matched with purposeful leadership and political commitment.
He, therefore, called for greater confidence in Nigerian engineers, scientists, innovators and other professionals capable of developing solutions to the country’s technological needs.
The book also advocated patriotic leadership and decisions that prioritise Nigeria’s long-term interests over dependence on imported technologies.
Maduegbunam was born on April 23, 1957, in Obosi, Anambra, and graduated from the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu.
He also studied at Cranfield Institute of Technology, Cranfield University, United Kingdom, and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1980.
He retired from active military service on Aug. 5, 2013, but has remained involved in mentoring young officers, scientists and technology enthusiasts.
The retired general has also continued to deliver lectures and participate in discourses on technological self-reliance and indigenous innovation.
The book will be unveiled in Abuja, on Thursday, with military officers, industrialists, politicians, academics and other stakeholders expected to attend.
The presentation is expected to provide a platform for renewed discussion on Nigeria’s capacity to develop indigenous science, technology and defence-industrial solutions. (NAN)
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola