By Dele Ogbodo
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM),
which is one of its research and innovative agencies have advocated for a new scientific push and effective practical application of science diplomacy to drive sustainable development especially at the new normal beckons as occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a 2 Day science diplomacy brainstorming for Nigeria’s sustainability and development, the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Barr. Mohammed Abdullahi, emphasised the imperative of Science Technology and Innovation (STI) for the enthronement of a crisis-free society that promotes peace and prosperity across the world.
The Minister said: “Through it (Science Diplomacy), Nigeria can project influence and importance on a global scale even more than the existing forms of diplomacy among nations.”
According to him, in their efforts to produce vaccines to stop the spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic, scientists crossed the international and political boundaries and the results are obvious.
“Many vaccines have been produced while research is still going on to improve their efficacy. The unsuccessful attempts at addressing global climate change impacts is not unconnected to the existing gap between the scientists and the political leaders.” He said.
Through science diplomacy, Abdullahi, said countries can come together and implement agreements on emission cuts and embark on sustainable methods of resources exploitation and utilization to make the world a better place to live.
According to the Minister, STI is unarguably the modern engine that drives sustainable development both locally and globally, explaining that it can be argued that Nigeria as a nation has what it takes to advance locally and connect with opportunities offered by international partnerships to further enhance her development as a nation.
In his welcome, the Director General/CEO of NACETEM, Prof, Okechukwu Ukwuoma, while corroborating the Minister, said the country has the human capacity and wherewithal to attain such feat, stressing that NACETEM has been involved in deepening the culture of practical and hands-on scientific seminars, conferences and workshops across the country.
In keeping with the agency’s mandate the ongoing national workshop on science diplomacy which is the first of its kind in Nigeria, to see how the country can effectively use science and diplomacy to achieve sustainable development, particularly during this new normal occasioned by the COVID-19 Pandemic, became imperative.
Reiterating, he added that NACETEM is an agency under the Ministry that provides critical knowledge support in the area of STI management for sustainable development, adding that the workshop is part of the ways of fulfilling the agency’s mandates.
He acknowledged that in view of the deployment of science diplomacy, the agency is optimistic that the invited stakeholders will contribute meaningfully to the success of this workshop, explaining that It will interest Nigerians to know that NACETEM is a knowledge support institution that trains middle-to-high level manpower in STI management in the country.
The NACETEM boss said: “The objectives of this workshop are essentially to raise awareness among scientists and diplomats about science policy and diplomacy; intimate the participants about NACETEM’s role in manpower development about STI management and science diplomacy; and create a network of science diplomacy enthusiasts and promoters.
“Specifically, this workshop is indeed Nigeria’s attempt to project influence and importance on a global scale through its scientific community. It will interest you to know that NACETEM is a knowledge support institution that trains middle-to-high level manpower in STI management.”
According to him, the disruption necessitated by the outbreak of COVID-19 has made it apparent that nations of the world need not just to cooperate but to deploy science to pragmatically address global challenges.
With unexpected changes and challenges which range from climate change and outbreak of new diseases for instance, Nigeria cannot afford to fold our arms and watch.
He advocated for cutting edge knowledge in science, technology and innovation needs to be constantly deployed, with political gladiators, diplomats and scientists from across the globe coming together to mitigate the ever increasing and constantly occurring challenges in the world.
The DG, said: “This workshop is not an end in itself, but a means to an end. This is a starting point for the next phase, which is to have a Science Diplomacy Network. This is considered a shift in thinking to underscore buy xanax on the dark online the importance of better integrating the communities of science and diplomacy in novel ways. It is time to adjust to a world in which developments in science and technology move rapidly and affect relationships and interactions at bilateral, regional and global scales.
He expressed gratitude to stakeholders, adding that without them stakeholders at the workshop, our gathering here would have been impossible! Your presence with us is an indication of our commitment to fostering greater societal ties and advancing knowledge and understanding about important global challenges.
“In fact, the importance of institutions, whether national or global, in the science diplomacy ecosystem is far ranging.
“How these institutions adapt and respond to internal and external changes will go a long way in determining their relevance and influence in this century. NACETEM, as an institution of government, has belled the cat. It is time other institutions joined in deploying science diplomacy to solve challenges at the national, regional and global levels.” Ukwuoma, said.