By Dele Ogbodo
The Minister of Science Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has advocated for the use of mother tongue to teach science subjects
in primary schools across the country.
He said the Science Technology Ministry in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Education are working toward ensuring to that science subjects are taught in local languages at primary level, stressing that children will learn faster if they are taught in their mother’s tongues.
The Minister said: “Teaching pupils in mother tongues will lay the foundation for Nigeria to produce Noble laureates in the Sciences.
Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu disclosed on Wednesday when the Abia Sate Commissioner for Science and Technology, Chief Fabian Nwankwo, paid him a courtesy call in his office during the week.
He said federal government will soon upscale its pilot projects of Waste –to-Wealth in the 6 geopolitical zones of the country.
According to Dr. Onu, the Wealth-to-Wealth programme was conceived using appropriate indigenous technology to convert waste to wealth , and ensure sustainable management of waste in the country.
The programme, he added, will also accelerate an inclusive socio economic development through entrepreneurship to create employment, wealth and healthy environment for the citizens.
Dr. Onu also called for the establishment of Ministry of Science and Technology in all the states as it is critical to the industrialization and development of the country.
He stressed the need for states to recognize the primary role of science and technology to ensure rapid industrialization.
The ministry, he further said, is developing policy thrust on leather technology and also create a platform for Nigerian Institute of Leather Technology, Zaria to work closely with shoe manufacturers in Aba, adding that ”we are interested in educating our entrepreneurs to be the best”.
He said that this will also help the Ministries in the state to get entrepreneurs to commercialize research findings so as to create jobs , fight poverty and industrialize the zones.
The state, he added, will also like to partner with the ministry on leather production, technology incubation as well as capacity building.