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From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The Federal Government has vowed to strengthen the technology and Innovation centers established across the country’s six geopolitical zones to help in the development of the transition production economy.
President Bola Tinubu made this known while declaring open the 8th edition of the Science, Technology and Innovation,2024 EXPO, holding in Abuja.
The president, who was represented by the Secretary General of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, said the centres would serve as hubs to unite all the science, technology and innovation ecosystem stakeholders to chart the utilization of mineral and human resources for global competitiveness.
“It is imperative to inform you that we will strengthen the Technology and Innovation Centers established by the Federal Government across the country’s six geopolitical zones to help our transition production economy”
“I would like to reiterate that with our Renewed Hope Agenda, Innovation, Science and Technology as crucial apparatus for modern- day socio-economic advancement will continue to receive our support in the promotion and utilization of innovations and inventions carried out through local Research & Development to enhance indigenous capacity and capability in tandem with the provisions of the Presidential Executive Order No. 5 (2018)” he added.
“It will ensure access to modern technologies to enable the country benefit from ground-breaking innovations through the conversion and commercial viability of Research and Development (R&D) outcomes into industrial inputs and products” The President stressed.
“I would like to reiterate that with our Renewed Hope Agenda, Innovation, Science and Technology as crucial apparatus for modern- day socio-economic advancement will continue to receive our support in the promotion and utilization of innovations and inventions carried out through local Research & Development to enhance indigenous capacity and capability in tandem with the provisions of the Presidential Executive Order No. 5 (2018)” President Tinubu emphasized.
On his part, the Imo state Governor Hope Uzodimma who was the guest of honour of the occasion, said innovation is the solution to Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges including the current hunger crisis.
Gov Uzodimma who stressed that science and technology leads globally adding that it should be part of the nation’s educational curriculum for the younger generation.
Similarly, in his remarks the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Chief Uche Nnaji emphansized that innovation is the key for addressing the country’s current challenges.
He said “Our nation finds itself at a juncture where the integration of Science, Technology, and Innovation is not just a choice but a necessity. The current economic landscape demands a paradigm shift, and the Ministry’s role becomes crucial in steering this transformative journey.
“As a result, the Nigerian Government approved the Revised Science, Technology and Innovation Policy. This Policy, when properly implemented, has the power to completely transform the Nigerian STI ecosystem as it provides the appropriate channel for the fundamental re-orientation of Nigerians as well as a pathway for the socio-economic development that will usher Nigeria to its rightful place among the comity of nations” Chief Nnaji added.
