After attending a conference in Australia, Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology Dr Ogbonnaya Onu has proceeded to Japan where he will be attending the 14th Science and Technology Minister’s Roundtable in Kyoto, from October 1st – 3rd 2017.
A statement by Abdul- Ganiyu Aminu, Deputy Director Press in the Ministry said the forum, which is an annual event since 2004, will attract ministers and science experts worldwide and will exchange views on science technology and innovation trends.
The forum will also provide a platform to engender global collaboration and synergy in the field of science and technology ideas, insights, experiences on science and technology, research and innovation learning curve of 21st century in developing countries will constitute highlights of the forum.
A new technological concept called “Society 5.0” is also going to be tabled for discussion. It is a concept proposal by Japan of an advanced, futuristic, and human-centred society in which the integration of cyber space and physical space is to be realised by taking advantage of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IOT), robotics and big data, fields in which Japan had made significant in-road.
As it stands, Nigeria is set to tap from all these to achieve a super- smart society of economic growth and greater well-being.
The Minister left Australia where he attended the 68th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Adelaide, earlier.
The Congress in Australia with the theme “Unlocking Imagination, Fostering Innovations and Strengthening Security” is attracting all space actors who are discussing the latest space developments, enjoying multiple networking opportunities with current potentials.
Dr Onu delivered a paper on the “Role of Science and Technology and Innovation in Shaping Future Society”, and spoke on the recently launched Science and Technology Road Map, the National Consultative Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development in Nigeria etc.
He also discussed various initiatives on Science, Technology and Innovation with a view to gaining fresh insights from other countries on how to continue promote Knowledge based economy in Nigeria .
“The Nigerian National Strategy on Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development is a fact- based framework designed to harness the potentials of the country’s research development (R& D) institutes in partnership with industries and business, to fast-rack and redirect the high –way to orderly economic recovery, double digit growth and sustainable development” the Minister said.
