The Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh, has said the federal government will continue to ensure women and youth develop keen interest in science, research and Innovation programmes and sector.
He said this during the North-East zonal dialogue between government and stakeholders in the science technology and innovation ecosystem on the establishment and Implementation of the technology and innovation centres for global competiveness and productivity today in Bauchi state.
Ikoh revealed that in line with Presidential Executive Order No.5, STI policy of 2022 and the Abuja declarations of FARI, researchers, inventors and innovators will be protected with the appropriate legal framework such as issuance of patent and other intellectual property rights.
He further said the federal government will create a conducive and enabling environment for work, reward scientists and researchers for successful commercialization of research and innovation efforts, attract women and children into research and Innovation. He added that this will improve the overall socio-economic fortunes of the country.
According to him, “We shall work tirelessly to remove all obstacles, close all gaps so as to encourage cooperation and collaboration among R&D institutions and OPS, ensure that there is cordial relationship among critical stakeholders within the STI ecosystem in the country. This will help reduce cost of production, guarantee stability in the supply chain, stabilize Forex crises and provide a solid foundation for irreversible industrialization that is inclusive and sustainable for national development, employment generation and creation of common wealth, for the good of all Nigerians.”
Speaking, the Governor of Bauchi state, Sen. Bala Mohammed, represented by the deputy governor, Sen. Baba Tela, said that the Executive Order No.5 when fully implemented will greatly reduce the crave for imported goods and have positive effect on the socio-economic development and growth of the country.
He noted that the implementation of Executive Order NO.5 will ensure 100 million direct and indirect jobs in the country and most importantly boost indigenous technology development in the country.
The National Coordinator, Strategy Implementation Task Office for Presidential Executive Order No.5, Engr. Ibiam Oguejiofor, enjoined the participants to contribute positively to the dialogue, adding that changing the narratives of Nigerian economy from consumption to production based is a task that must be achieved collectively.
