…Says it will harmonise research in STI
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has said the Federal Government will establish research and technology innovative centres nationwide for Increased global competitiveness.
He stated this during a working visit to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State in Benin City yesterday.
The minister noted that increased focus on solution driven research would help increase the commercialisation of scientific research results.
He called for active local production for all goods/services that are needed in the country.
Onu said Nigerian goods, services and Innovations must be of global standards to meet local demands and encourage exports.
Governor Obaseki said for government to succeed and deliver on its mandates, all aspects of government must embrace science, technology and innovation.
He further advocated the strengthening and creation of an enabling environment for local (home grown) innovators.
He pledged his administration’s assistance to the development of STI.
Meanwhile, in a lecture in honour of the chancellor of Igbinedion University Okada, Sir Gabriel Igbinedion, yesterday, Onu said the establishment of technology innovation centres (TICs) in all the geo-political zones of the country, would encourage the harmonisation of research results from universities, polytechnics, industries and research institutes.
He assured of his ministry’s determination to ensure that Nigerian universities, industry and research institutes work in close synergy.
He added, that the federal government, through effective policies, would provide an enabling environment for STI research development.
“This level of cooperation and interaction, will be of mutual benefit, since research institutes will now conduct research on the problems of industry, while universities will produce the appropriate manpower to run our industries,” he said.
The minister further said once research findings were harmonised, the goods and services achieved from these would be of global standards.
He said the revolutionary Executive Order 005, would enable the rapid transformation of goods and services needed in the country and aid exports.
He praised Igbinedion, saying he had brought tremendous development to Edo State and Nigeria at large through his investment in various sectors of the economy.
Earlier in his welcome address, the vice chancellor of the Igbinedion University, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, acknowledged the vital role played by Onu in his solidarity and identification with IUO.
He further stated that the institution was committed to realizing its vision of being a centre of academic excellence through teaching, research and knowledge production in response to contextualized national and global needs.
