Onu Charges Researchers On Economic Diversification

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has charged researchers in the field of Science and Technology to come up with innovation that would help in the diversification process of the Federal Government in boosting the economy.

One disclosed this on Monday, while delivering a lecture titled “Economic Diversification and National Development in Nigeria: The Role of Science and Technology” to Participants of Course 28 at National Defence College, in Abuja.

While assuring the participants on Course 28, the minister said our researchers are working to deliver the set results that can be commercialized to help build a diversified economy for the benefits of Nigerians.

Onu said: “The eras of working in isolation of one another are long gone and gone for good. In the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, we no longer work in isolation, as we encourage and support the Academies of Science, Engineering, Letters, Social Science, and Education to work together for the good of the nation.”

He added that one of the important instruments to drive the Science Technology and Innovation (STI) policy is the National Science, Technology and Innovation Road map 2017 – 2030 to address societal problems and re-orientate the citizenry to see science technology, and innovation as a required instrument to transit from commodity to a knowledge based economy.

According to him, the ministry has develop 5 policies with the primary objectives of diversifying the economy which includes: Technology Innovation Expo, Methanol Fuel Technology Programme, Electronic Technology Programme, National Leader and Leader Policy, amongst others. 

He added that Nigeria gradually moves away from resource to a knowledge based innovation driven economy, adding that research activity of the Ministry had impacted positively on the economy.

“Persistent research on cassava has resulted in the production of High Quality Cassava Flour, industrial starch, fufu powder, cassava chips, cassava bread, cassava noodles, ” he added.

In his remarks, Commandant National Defence College, Rear Admiral Markson Kadiri acknowledged the immense contribution of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu on the field of Science and Technology, and for honouring their invitation anytime he is called upon.
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“Good thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bear bad fruit.” James Allen