By Emmanuel Acha
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has reiterated
Federal Government’s determination to continue to work until the country produces Noble Laureates in
Chemistry, Physics and Medicine, while advancing science and technology.
He said this on Friday during the closing ceremony of the 2019 Science, Technology and Innovation Expo
in Enugu.
He added that the current administration had shown commitment in the establishment of the National Research
and Innovation Council and the National Research and Innovation Fund.
Onu said that President Muhammadu Buhari had also shown commitment in the use of intervention fund
to promote science and technology and encouraged the study of science and technology, stressing that
such efforts were aimed at building the culture of technology and innovation in the country.
The minister explained that the successes recorded at the three editions of the science expo which started in
2017 would help in reinforcing the culture of science and technology in the country.
He said that the quality and quantity of local inventions on display in the various pavilions of the expo
had rekindled his optimism in deploying science and technology to transform the economy.
He added that Nigerian researchers and inventors had the capacity to compete with their peers across the world.
Onu said: “the Ministry of Science and Technology is presently working on how to find cure for epilepsy and to commercialise
our inventions on efficient ways of managing sickle cell anemia.
“As I move round the various pavilions of the expo, I was impressed with the level of research and innovation on display.
I will want our scientists to work even harder than they are doing at the moment.
“Nigeria is too rich a nation for Nigerians to be poor; Nigerians are resourceful, enterprising and creative to lack technological
knowledge.”
The minister said that the task might be daunting but with commitment, the future would be great.
“The task before us is to use science and technology to create jobs, wealth, fight poverty, defeat illiteracy and eliminate
hunger and underdevelopment in our country.
“The journey that lies ahead is a long one and it will not be easy.
“There will definitely be some difficulties but we will continue to work hard to build our country as no effort will be too much
to accomplish this,” Onu said.
Organised annually by Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, the Science, Technology and Innovation Expo in Enugu had
no fewer than 159 exhibitors, with 397 local inventions on display.
The expo is to encourage interaction among researchers, inventors, innovators
and investors, largely to commercialise research results from the country’s tertiary institutions.
The theme for the 2019 expo is “Science, Technology and Innovation for Economic Recovery and Sustainable
Growth.” (NAN)
