Lagos Seeks Sponsorship for Science Festival
By Shaka Momodu and Akpn Unyime
To bring together experts in the field of science to stimulate interest that would positively impact on the development and well being of the state and its residents, the Ministry of Science and Technology yesterday held a ministerial briefing to flag off the preparation for her first science festival, billed for October.
The Commissioner, Mr. Akin Doherty, said it was meant to appraise organizations of the proposed festival and to seek for their support through sponsorship and participation adding that the objective of the festival was to promote science and technology by raising the level of awareness and understanding of various scientific developments and issues.
The society at large, to take active interest in science and appreciate the potentials of science in the areas of growth, development, employment generation and better living standard.
While stating that the event would be an educational experience, the commissioner called on individual organisations to exhibit their products at the festival, adding that avenues such as this would increase their product awareness and expose their scientific processes. The festival, according to Doherty, would be celebrated throughout the state and would attract visitors within and outside the country.
The theme of the festival, which is 'Science for Life and Development', would be held at designated places in Lagos for a week during the period.
Whilst soliciting the support and assistance of individual organizations in organizing the festival, he said that government alone could not carry the burden of financing the festival stating that some of the ways they could participate was through sponsorship or participation which is expected to give them considerable mileage.
The commissioner however paid tribute to organizations that have willingly and consistently made tremendous and visible contribution to the course of developing the society in which they operate. He in particular, thanked organisations in the oil and gas, Banking and Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, telecommunications, Computing, Food and Beverage, Agriculture and Construction for their past efforts.
The Commissioner listed areas open for sponsorship as venues for exhibition and Seminar, handbills, brochures, opening ceremony, publicity, media relations, logistics/communication and award/plaque.
Present at the occasion were the Commissioners for Education and Commerce & Industry, Prof. Kunle Lawal and Mr. Lanre Balogun respectively, whose ministries are collaborating with the Ministry of Science and Technology to ensure a successful festival.
Several organizations were present at yesterday's briefing amongst them were Zenon Oil, African Petroleum, SmithKline Beecham, International Paints for West Africa, Conoil, Gas Link, federal Institute of Industrial Research and Dom Gas.
Others were Zenox, Omatek, Morrison Industries, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, University of Lagos, Yaba College of Technology, Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC) and others.
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