Today, the world revolves around science and technology. To this end, the Ministry of Science and Technology is eager to catch-up with other advanced nations by adopting STI to enhance health care delivery, food security as well as boost industrialisation. BINTABINTA SHAMA reports.
STI to create jobs
In line with the Minister, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister for State Barr. Mohammed Abdullahi says the ministry will be engaging in several entrepreneurship programs to stem the tide of unemployment in the country.
“Such programs, will be embedded in the technology incubation and innovation system developed by the Ministry to assist start-ups nurture their businesses from small to medium and large-scale enterprises.
In line with this initiative, the Ministry has held series of activities to boost the nation’s economy.
The Minister of State received delegates from the Nassarawa State All Progressive Congress (APC) Committee where they paid him a courtesy visit recently.
Abdullahi appealed to the party elders to encourage young Nigerians to embrace science subjects, adding that the future lies in science and technology.
Youths to engage in Science
“It is through science and technology that the youths can take advantage and benefit maximally from the incubation technology being promoted in several incubation centers across the country.
“Even though the study of humanity and social science is good, there is need for the youths to also venture into the sciences. I think it is time that we begin to focus the attention of our children towards reading sciences subject for that is the future of the world,” he stated.
According to him, that there are several opportunities in the Ministry of Science and Technology which can only be maximally harnessed by the youths who study Sciences.
He further congratulated the All Progressive Congress (APC) of Nasarawa State for the string of victories they had recorded in the past few months both at the tribunals and also during the recently held elections.
He thanked the APC delegation for her show of solidarity to him and Mr. President and promised to extend their regards to the President.
Earlier, the Deputy Chairman of APC Aliyu Yakubu Barde said the party deemed it fit and proper to show its support and solidarity to him on his appointment as Minister of State and also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for granting him the opportunity to be part of the team to carry the nation to the next level.
Earlier, the secretary of the party, Mr. Aliyu Bello commended the Minister of State for his dedication to duties and his loyalty to his superiors as testified by his antecedents in Nasarawa State. He prayed for a cordial working relationship between him and the Ministry.
FG to utilise biotech for food security
In same vein, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu said the ministry is poised to utilize via any means in science to develop the nation in all sector possible, when he received executives of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria recently in Abuja.
WHO healthcare system, enhance food security as well as boost industrialisation
According to the minister, Biotechnology was quite capable of being adopted to improve many facets of man’s existence. One of these, he explained, is the feat recorded by the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), an agency of the Ministry in producing high-yielding and disease- resistant seedlings fore use by farmers.
“President Buhari is seriously concerned that all Nigerians have access to food and for the country to sufficiently feed itself. With our fast-growing population, bio-technology is the panacea for food security,” he added.
He further said that the Ministry is presently experimenting the use of biotechnology to meet the energy needs of the nation through renewable energy, assuring the society of the support of the ministry in their various programs.
Earlier, the National President of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria, Prof. Benjamin Ubi, said the society was able to develop Bio-Entrepreneurship proposals as mandated by the federal government.
Ubi, said the society was able to establish the first forensic laboratory in Nigeria, to help fight crimes and solve issues relating to genetics. He further called on the strengthening of the synergy between the Ministry and the society in publishing periodic journals to aid Scientific knowledge.
Leather to enhance productivity
The Ministry of Science and Technology has been working towards developing the National Leather Policy in contributing significantly to economic diversification of the country.
According to the FMST boss, that the National Leather Products Policy will help Nigeria in earning more foreign exchange through export.
He further said Nigeria can boost her economy by earning foreign exchange from leather products.
“Earnings from export of leather and leather related products will help Nigeria avoid an economic recession.
“Leather and textile, has been a gateway for industrialization of many countries. Through Leather and Textile in Nigeria, we will be able to develop more sophisticated technologies,” he added.
He further said, “the Nigerian Institute of Leather, Science Technology is presently supplying the Nigerian Armed Forces with its footwears, a feat that is worth celebrating.”
He urged Leather technologists to help transfer their skills to willing young Nigerians so as to improve the nations productivity as well as Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Earlier, the President, Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists of Nigeria, Dr. Fidelis Tanko, said leather is of international value and can change the economic fortunes of nations. He added that the global value for Leather trade is worth $100 Million per annum.
He urged the federal government of Nigeria to key into the leather global trade to earn more foreign exchange and provide employment opportunities for the unemployed.
