By Eunice Orike
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has reiterated its Ministry’s committment towards putting Nigeria on the pedestal of sustainable economic growth through maximization of the STI infrastructure.
He said that the “Revised Science Technology and Innovation Policy’’ when properly implemented has the potentials to completely transform the STI Eco-system in the country, as it provides the appropriate channel for the fundamental re-orientation of her citizenry.
He stated that STI was a vital key to Nigeria taking her rightful position amongst the comity of nations.
The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Esuabana Nko-Asanye, said this, in Abuja, during the closing ceremony of the Technology and Innovation Expo tagged:’’STI: Solution to National Economic Challenges.”
Nnaji also said that STI being the bed-rock of development, has propelled nations and businesses to economic prosperity from driving industrial growth to unlocking sustainable economic advancement.
According to him, it is an established fact that no nation can become great without effective deployment of science, technology and innovation apparatus.
He explained that over the years the nation has shown promising signs of a bright future by using STI force for her abundant natural and human resource, adding that for these potentials to fully blossom, we need a supportive work environment that encourages skills development through STI in the country.
Nnaji said that the Technology Expo provides an exceptional opportunity for the Organized Private Sector, OPS, and inventors to capitalize on the research outcomes paving the way for wealth creation and empowerment opportunities for our vast population, adding that the Ministry has to accomplish by providing yearly a platform by showcasing ground breaking research findings, inventions and innovations which if harnessed will be a speed boat for Nigeria’s industralisation as well as the sub region.
He expressed optimistism that all the products exhibited so as their elementary stages will translate into goods and services through commercialisation which in turn will put the nation in a positive, economy greatness and prosperity in the near future.
The Minister also used the opportunity to urge all participants and stakeholders to sustain the gains recorded at the Science and Technology Expo for the sake of prosperity.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary Mrs. Esuabana Nko-Asanye, in her opening remarks, said that this year’s Technology Exposition is a testament of the Ministry’s bold initiatives towards developing a sustainable, inclusive and industrial economic growth of the nation.
She further stated that the Ministry is always poised to collaborate with all stakeholders in the sector in order to promote innovation, advance in technology and industrialization of our great nation.
Highlights of the closing event was the presentation of awards to Research Institutes with Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi FIIRO coming first, National Research Institute for Chemical Technology Zaria NARICT second, while the Nigeria Airforce and Product Development Institute PRODA at a tie came third position.
The State Ministry Categories with Cross River state Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation coming first, Osun state Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology as second and Delta state as third position.
The junior Engineers, technology and scientists JETS category with Government Science and Technical college Garki as first, Lagos State Model senior college Meiran as second while Aquinas college Akure Ondo State came third.
Tertiary Institutions Category with University of Jos, Federal University of Technology Minna, University of Porth Harcourt, University of Cross River, FCT College of Education Zuba, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University.