By Ezrel Tabiowo
Abuja
President of the Senate, David Mark, yesterday took stock of the nation’s ailing economy and submitted that only planned, deliberate and sustained efforts in Research and Technology could rescue the nation from economic downturn.
In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary,
Mr. Paul Mumeh, Mark, therefore, challenged research institutes and tertiary institutions in the country to rise up to the occasion by working out a blueprint that would get the nation’s economy out of the woods.
Receiving the 2014 Champion of Medical Research in Nigeria Honours
award from the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in Abuja yesterday, Mark said no nation, desirous of development, could afford to undermine research as a key component .
Specifically, Senator Mark stated that Medical Research is key to National Development because it would ensure a healthy citizenry needed for economic prosperity.
He appreciated the award and promised that the recognition would spur him for greater services to the nation.
Presenting the award to the Senate President, the Director-General of NIMR, Prof. Innocent Ujah, said the honour was in recognition and indeed appreciation of Mark’s contributions to medical research in the country.
Ujah noted the efforts of the Senate President at promoting medical excellence, bringing to an end the 55 days Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) industrial action as well as the reinstatement of the hitherto disengaged Resident Doctors among others.