…Onu: FG set to establish Robotic/Artificial Intelligence as agency in Science/Tech
By Dele Ogbodo
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Science and Technology has approved the construction of a modern tsetse mass rearing facility at Vom, near Jos, Plateau State for total eradication of the disease.
Speaking at the 35th International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCRC) and the 18th meeting of Pan African tsetse and Trypanomiasis Control (PATTEC), on Monday in Abuja, the Minister, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said the facility when constructed will generate millions of sterile males for field releases to mop-up populations that may persist after suppression to achieve eradication.
According to the minister, Africa being the second largest continent in the world should not have problem with food security, hunger and poverty, however adding that tsetse has posed serious challenges to livestock production in Africa, as well as human health.
On the level of preparedness for total eradication of the menace, he said: “I am very happy that Nigeria played a very important role in the decision of the African Heads of State and Government that endorsed the PATTEC initiative. My Ministry has always given PATTEC-Nigeria the much needed attention, it rightly deserve and this will continue.
The minister acknowledged that he with the already put in place, Nigeria will lead Africa in the fight against tsetse fly, adding that Nigeria want to work closely with other nations in Africa so that land presently occupied by tsetse flies can be reclaimed back.
Also speaking when he received a delegation of the Academy of Science, Dr. Onu, said government is proposing to establish an agency that would focus on Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
He was optimistic that when established the agency will help to improve the quality of research in the nation’s Universities and industrial laboratories, adding that the Academy, is well-placed to advise the government on issues bordering on science, technology and innovation.
He stated that it was high time Nigeria, takes its place among the leading nations of the world in terms of Science, Technology and Innovation, stressing that Executive Order 5, would place Nigerian professionals at the core of the nation’s development.
Dr. Onu laid emphasis on commercialization of ideas and innovations, as being critical to turning around the economic fortunes of the nation.
He said: “Ideas are very important when they are converted to products and services. This in turn will help grow the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”
While praising the Academy for contributing to the study of the Atlantic Ocean, Dr. Onu appealed to it to help the ministry have a better understanding of the complex problems confronting the nation.
He assured the Academy of the continuous support of the ministry urging them to closely work with the Academy of Humanity and Social Sciences, Academy of letters and the Academy of Education, as this is in the best interest of the nation.
In a remark, the President of the Academy, Prof. Mosto Onuoha, called on the ministry to support the Academy in research on Big Data (BD) and AI, which are current technological trends in the world.
Dr. Kehinde Oladipo, a fellow of the Institute, said that BD and AI are the technology in vogue which needed to be embraced by all and sundry so as to remain relevant in the current technological revolution sweeping the world.