Middle: Mr. Samuel Akanji, President & Chairman of Council, NISLT, in a chat with the
DVC (A), Prof. Chryss Onwuka (L) and the DVC (D), Prof. Segun Lagoke (R), after the
Workshop, organised by the Equipment Maintenance Centre (EMC)
The practice of effective maintenance and management of laboratory equipment has been described as fundamental and critical to science, engineering and technology.
This call was made by the President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT), Mr. Samuel Akanji, in his Lecture, “NISLT: A Stakeholder in the Effective Maintenance and Management of Laboratory Equipment in Post Basic Educational Institutions”, delivered at a training workshop, organised by the Equipment Maintenance Centre (EMC) of the University.
Mr. Akanji stated that NISLT had since the inception of the World Bank STEP – B Project, consulted widely on the issue of Equipment Maintenance and Management, noting that the Institute, mindful of the capital intensive nature of laboratory equipment, was committed to proper maintenance and effective management of science equipment in institutions.
This according to the President, was achieved through the establishment of the Equipment Maintenance Centres (EMCs) and the Equipment Maintenance and Development Centres (EMDCs), in all higher institutions in the country.
Mr. Akanji identified laboratory equipment as the key elements in the laboratory system that ensure quality service delivery and frowned at the myriads of non-functioning equipment that abound in the country’s institutions.
The NISLT President advised that efforts should be put in place at addressing and correcting the causes of such problems, which he identified as procurement; dearth of skilled laboratory technologists and scientists needed to handle maintenance as well as non-exposure of equipment users to emerging laboratory maintenance techniques.
He lauded the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwafemi Balogun, for his dynamic policy on the re-engineering of the University‘s Equipment Maintenance Centre (EMC).
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Segun Lagoke, thanked the President, for visiting UNAAB.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the theme of the workshop was apt, considering the fact that expensive and high definition equipment were essential to drive the continued growth of Universities in the fields of Science and Technology.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Chryss Onwuka expressed delight about Mr. Akanji’s visit, saying that the President had UNAAB at heart and enjoined participants to be conversant with the details of the equipment they use.
“The perfection of the details on one’s equipment makes one’s work better and in turn, earns one the desired respect in his/her field of work”, he stated.
The Acting Director, Equipment Maintenance Centre (EMC), Mr. Jide Ojo, expressed his gratitude to the University Management for demonstrating a strong commitment to the welfare and capacity building of Laboratory Science Technologists and Technical Staff of UNAAB.
He disclosed that the programme was aimed at improving the capabilities of Technologists, Technical Personnel and Scientists in handling, maintaining, troubleshooting and carrying out pro-active maintenance of equipment.
