From Magnus Eze, Abuja
The Federal Government is determined to woo Nigeria’s best brains abroad to be part of the on-going economic diversification initiative of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, Science and Technology Minister, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has said.
The minister made the disclosure in Abuja yesterday when the President of Africa Academy of Science, Prof. Aderemi Kuku, in company of Director/Chief Executive, National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Prof. Adewale Solarin, visited to intimate him of the forth-coming regional mathematical conference.
Onu, who explained the importance of mathematics in nation building, said all the agencies under the ministry needed mathematical services to function effectively.
He was optimistic that the conference will help young mathematics scientists in Nigeria to interact with more experienced experts in the field of mathematical sciences.
“All great nations have been built by their citizens. If there is any problem, others will run away, may be back to their countries. We are going to bring back our best brains, especially in sciences to help this government.
“We will bring in the best; when you do this, you will create room for competition and the economy will grow,” Onu stated.
Speaking earlier, Prof. Solarin stressed how poor funding had negatively affected the ability of the Centre to meet with its core mandates.
He pledged the readiness of his agency to provide technical support to Nigeria’s plans to establish a silicon valley.
Solarin, who is also the President of the African Mathematical Union (AMU), informed the minister that Nigeria had been chosen to host a regional symposium on current research trends in mathematical sciences and applications.
He said the forum, which is scheduled for May in Abuja, “would provide opportunity for younger generation of mathematical scientists to interact with, and be inspired by mature and established mathematicians and, possibly, create more and improve on current mentor-mentee relationships”.