The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, recently noted that introduction of technology to the programmes of many sectors including agriculture, would transform the country’s economy.
Delivering a speech at a meeting of Committee on Science and Technology General Assembly in Islamabad, Pakistan, he said Nigerians would soon celebrate economic growth as the ministry was making efforts to ensure food security through technology application.
He said the ministry had engaged in a transformation agenda that would enable Nigeria to play a more important role in global matters.
The minister said the transformation would enhance economic diversification of the Federal Government.
According to him, it will boost the economy, create new jobs and create wealth to further increase the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
“The transformation will ensure uninterrupted power supply which will engender rapid industrialisation and the use of locally made goods and services,’’ he said.
He said that the ministry had been making efforts to close all technology gaps with a view to growing a sustainable technological development.
“In the past one year, the ministry has intensified efforts in the commercialisation of research findings by encouraging the protection of intellectual property through patents, while it has strengthened the links among industries, universities and research institutes,’’ he said.
Onu said research and innovation works were ongoing in many areas, including biotechnology, chemical technology, information technology, nanotechnology, renewable and efficient use of energy.
“Others innovations include protection and preservation of the environment, herbal and alternative medicine development, local raw materials utilisation, nuclear research for peaceful purposes, space science and technology,’’ he said.
The minister therefore called on Nigerians to embrace the application of technology on local production to alleviate poverty.
He urged Nigerians to cooperate with government in its effort to effectively utilise science and technology for economic development.
“Such efforts will help to create jobs for the young and the old in the country to resuscitate our economy.
“Technology implementation is a veritable instrument for diversification and strengthening of Nigeria’s economy.
“The world has recognised that there is a change in leadership and that change is positive in the new direction to attain greatness and promote the image of the nation,’’ he said.
Onu said President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would work hard to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past governments on science and technology development.
“We have made a lot of mistakes as a nation by not according science and technology its rightful place in the development of our country.
“Every administration since independence has been talking about one form of revolution for agriculture, but it has not worked because they don’t pay attention to science and technology.
“Now they say young people should go to the farm but no young person has gone to farm because the labour intensity in farming is heavy.
“So, it is only science and technology that will reduce the labour as no nation in the world, whether in ancient or modern times, has ever been truly great without science and technology.
“Buhari is giving us support and he acknowledges the importance of science and technology to nation building.
“We are determined to making sure that science and technology, engineering, research and innovation will play its rightful role in making Nigeria truly a great nation,’’ he said.
Onu said the science and technology sector had the capacity to develop the health, agriculture, security, defence and manufacturing sectors of the country.
He added that science and technology sector could help in the advancement of the country’s space project.
Onu maintained that Nigeria could use its huge coal deposits to create alternative sources of power given the shortage of gas occasioned by the incessant vandalism of the pipelines.
“Many people don’t realise that almost all the developed countries in the world get most of their electricity from coal due to its usefulness.
“The very good story is that our own coal is even of better quality than their own, because the sulphur content in our coal is lower than in most coals in the world.
“So, when you look at pollution, it’s easier to handle our own coal than theirs; it’s a resource that we have and we must utilise it.
However, economists insist that key elements of the country’s economy must be varied, flexible and readily applicable to a variety of economic opportunities to ensure a stronger economy
A News Analysis by Gabriel Agbeja, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
