…2500 research products released into the market
…Advocates age-grade system for empowerment
By Dele Ogbodo
The Minister of Science Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has admitted that insecurity has negatively impacted socio-economic development of Nigeria even as he said that farms and school activities have been grounded in some parts of the country.
He, however, said that Federal Government through the Ministry of Science and Technology has said the government is set to deploy appropriate technologies to help surmount the security challenges confronting the country.
The country in recent weeks has been challenged with all forms of insecurity and criminalities especially in the North-east of Bornu, Zamfara and Katsina States where bandits have been killing and kidnapping Nigerians with abandoned recklessness.
The Minister of Science Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, while expressing government’s determination made the disclosure at the presentation of grants for journals publication to the Nigerian Academies of Science, Engineering, Social Sciences, Letters and Education in Abuja.
He said appropriate technologies will be deployed in the area of intelligence gathering, monitoring of suspects and development of platforms to effectively fight insecurity in Nigeria.
The Minister said that the challenge of insecurity has negatively impacted socio-economic development of Nigeria, adding that farms and school activities have been grounded in some parts of the country.
“Without security, Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful sustainable development; the time has come for Nigeria to apply Science, Technology and Innovation to national security.”
According to him, the ministry, through the National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA) is working tirelessly to use space technology in intelligence gathering and other sensitive aspects of national security.
He charged the academies to effectively contribute their quota to national development and knowledge in the country.
The President Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof. Mosto Onuoha said that the grants given would go a long way in boosting the activities of the Academies.
He added that his academy has published a book on COVID-19 responses by various Nigerian scientists.
Meanwhile, the minister also disclosed that over 2500 research products by Nigerian start-ups have now flooded the Nigerian markets.
The start-ups according to him, were trained and nurtured by the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), an agency of the ministry.
This was made known when he was conferred with a Honorary Doctorate Degree in Science during the 5th Convocation ceremony of the Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State at the weekend.
He called for the teaching of science and mathematics in indigenous languages early in life to boost learning and understanding of young Nigerians.
“This will help convert ideas into products and services, reduce importation of goods from abroad, increase exports to other countries, create jobs and wealth at home,’’ he added.
He further said that young people are an inestimable treasure of the country, as young Nigerians have dominated the world in Technology, sports, music, entertainment among others.
He also asserted that Age-Grade youth system in the country society is a viable strategy to address unemployment, crime reduction and sustainable youth empowerment, adding that the system helps to develop youths in becoming resourceful and responsible future leaders.
He made the disclosure when he was conferred with the 2020 Heroes award as The Foremost Igbo Political Leader in Contemporary Nigeria by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing in Enugu over the weekend.
Onu, said the age-grade system promotes peace, unity, patriotism, competitiveness and character development in their respective communities.