By Dele Ogbodo
The Federal Government on Tuesday awarded scholarship to three young students to major in the field of Science up to PhD.
The fallout is a result of their brilliant performance at the 2018 young Scientists presidential contest which held recently.
President Mohamadu Buhari, who was represented by his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, gave the award at the opening ceremony of Expo 2018 in Abuja.
The awards went to Master Idakwaoji Daniel Omonu, from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who came 1st, Master Ajisafe Solomon, from Ogun State who was placed second and Master Akingbulugbe Oluwatobiloba, from Ondo state who came third.
According to the president, government has concluded arrangement to strengthen human innovation by partnering with Bank of Industry (BON), to set up 6 technological hubs in each geographical zone and also to 6 Universities, one in each zone to fast track the development of indigenous technology.
Buhari, stressed that Nigeria is a land that is in thirst for innovation and promised to position the ministry to play its important function of creating the enabling environment for technological innovation and development.
Earlier, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. OgbonnyaOnu, said that recent global events had shown that countries who heeded the injunctions of our creator by placing science and technology at the center of their development efforts have grown to become prosperous and powerful .
He added that Nigeria has the human resources that will help her surpasses the achievement of advanced nations of if we can break new frontiers that woud create and nurture a better future for generations yet unborn.
“I believe that with our huge population and vast natural resources, if we remain determined and focused, we can utilized the power of science and technology to become technological leader in Africa and hence play a leading role in the global battle against poverty , diseases and illiteracy.”
Dr. Onu noted that with more hands on deck, Nigeria can build stronger family that will be united in the common pursuit of deepening the depth and broadening the reach of science, technology and innovation in our economic diversification process, especially in the fast changing world.
The Secretary to the Federal Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapher, alluded that the ministry is putting Nigeria on the map of greatness by bringing innovation and creativity in the development of Science and Technology.
The Director of Science and Technology, Mr.Ekanem Udo, is his opening remarks said that the Expo was expected to bring inventors and investor together for the purpose of commercialization.