Nigeria and Israel have deepened their science, technology and innovation (STI) initiative, the ‘Skill G Innovation center’ aimed at identifying potentials as well as prospects and successes that will help to transform Nigerian economy from resource-based to knowledge-based economy.
Speaking at the 2020/21 grand finale event exhibition programme of the initiative yesterday in Abuja, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said the initiative created through the partnership with the Embassy of Israel and the Federal Government aimed to establish an ecosystem of innovation.
He commended the efforts of the Israeli ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Yotam Kreiman for Israel’s commitment in supporting innovative Nigerian youths in transforming their ideas to inventions that will drive inclusive and viable industrialization in Nigeria and Africa in general.
Onu said hard work, creativity and commitment on the part of the participants, experts and partners who played a key role in bringing innovative ideas to reality would go a long way in sustaining the nation’s economy.
The minister said the federal government was willing and ready to support anyone who is ready to show interest in areas of innovation that would transform the nation into a knowledge-based economy.
He also commended the Israeli ambassador for sharing his nation’s knowledge of innovation, stressing that the relationship between the countries should continue and grow from strength to strength.
He congratulated the 21 youths selected out of 100 participants to use the knowledge acquired in ‘I Fair 2020/21 Innovation’ in transforming the ideas into inventions.
He assured that FMST would play a very important role in making sure that the country realizes this “I Fair Innovation” by partnering with the Israel.
“The problems we see today concerning our country should not scare us, our goal is to work hard to make sure Nigeria becomes a great nation in the future,” he said.
Earlier, the ambassador of Israel to Nigeria, Mr Yotam Kreiman, assured the minister of his country’s commitment to supporting innovative Nigerian youths in transforming their ideas to inventions that would drive inclusive and viable industrialization in Africa.
