…Onu expresses determination to drive economy with STI
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, has called for increased allocation of Federal Government’s proposed 0.5% allocation of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 2% for research and development in the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) sector.
The increased allocation according to the Minister will significantly assist in scaling up the country’s industrial sector and national economic development which analysts perceived as being in a comatose since independence because of neglect of STI.
Meanwhile and also speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2021 edition of the Science and Technology EXPO, on Friday, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, reiterated that the annual event of the Ministry has contributed significantly to the creation of many micro and small scale businesses in the country.
According to the Minister, the annual EXPO will help Nigeria quickly achieve economic diversification and ensure that Nigeria becomes one of the leading global economies, adding that: “The technologies that we develop in the country today will be the foundation for new start-ups that will grow into large scale businesses tomorrow”.
On the need to increase more resources to research, Onyeama, said: “If you look at all the countries of the world today and the developed and industrialized nations you will see one common factor which is the emphasis on investments on STI.
“Today, no society can prosper and grow without science and innovation, we have to put in more into our research, innovation and an enabling environment for our research and innovation as that is the only way.
“It is important that the country should set aside at least 2% of its gross domestic product on research and innovation and an example is what we are doing today here in the world.”
According to him, if there is anything that suggests that we know the importance of research and development it is this challenge of COVID-19 that Nigeria and the world are facing right now.
He said; “Nigeria is blessed to have majority of our population as young people….we have our young people as one of the most intelligent in the world”
He however commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his insistence on at least 0.5% of the nation’s GDP to be invested in the development of STI adding that effective utilization of it will accelerate national development.
Onu, also hailed the President’s scholarship award to three secondary students who emerged winners at this year’s Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award Competition.
The scholarship, he said is to study up to PhD level, in any science-related discipline of their choice at any university in the country.
He urged Nigerian youths to be optimistic as the future of Nigeria belongs to them, he added that Nigerian youths should be equipped with all necessary skills and resources to enable them achieve greatness.
Earlier the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Sunday Edet Akpan said the STI EXPO was a right step in the right direction for Nigeria’s industrialisation.
The Permanent Secretary assured Nigerians that the Ministry will continue to develop policies that will support the growth of Science and Technology in the country.
The Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said the EXPO will ensure that Nigeria takes its place among the comity of technologically advanced nations of the world.
The Minister of Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, said that his Ministry will harness the potentials of the EXPO to work towards economic diversification.