Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu has said that the Federal Government will continue to support the development of key, groundbreaking innovations in the country.
The Minister made this disclosure when he declared open the 19th National Council on Science, Technology and Innovation in Abuja, on Thursday.
He said the support would be made possible through policies and ensuring harmony of research efforts from different research institutions.
Onu said effort was underway to review the current Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy to accommodate and meet the needs of the 21st century.
He maintained that this would go a long way in proffering solutions to teeming challenges facing the country today.
According to the him, Nigeria is determined to be a major global player in space technology. He added that Nigeria was the first sub-Saharan African country to launch and develop space technology.
The annual council, which is the highest decision making body on science policies in Nigeria, would help accelerate economic development and would give the country a global competitiveness advantage.
Onu said that research institutes and agencies under the ministry would continue to develop innovations to help the agriculture industry.
He expressed optimism that this would help farmers to achieve more agricultural yield and reduce post-harvest losses.
He empasised the need for Nigeria to be self-reliant, patronise indigenous goods and services, and encourage export to achieve a favourable balance of trade.
A good balance of trade, he added, would improve the overall socio-economic fortunes of Nigerians.
On youth empowerment, Onu urged youths to embark on new business start-ups, because all large industries today started as SME’s.
Earlier in a goodwill message, Rep Jafaru Mohammed, the deputy chairman of the House Committee on Science and Research Institutions, said more efforts would be put into scientific innovations.
On behalf of the diplomatic corps, the Ambassador of Venezuela to Nigeria, Mr David Caraballo, said the development of STI in Nigeria was a positive development.
He pledged that his country would continue to work closely with Nigeria for mutual benefits in many areas including STI.
The theme for the council is: “Investment in Research and Development: A Necessary Tool to Improving Nigerian Economy”. (NAN)
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