By Mike Oboh
For any nation to attain sustainable development, it must embrace,deploy and apply Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in an appropriate and efficient manner.
Governor Dr.Abdullahi Umar Ganduje stated this at the 20th meeting of the National Council on Science, Technology and Innovation organised by the Federal Ministry of Science,Technology and Innovation in collaboration with the Kano State Government held at the National Space Research and Development Agency, Abuja.
Represented by his deputy Dr.Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, the Governor said…”All over the world, countries that do not embrace or utilised technology in their daily living will rely on others to be able to survive and Nigeria does not seem to be one in view of the need to be among the first 20 leading countries in the world”.
He went on to explain that…”following the change of name of the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation in the country…I have followed closely its aspirations in order to prepare it for the future and what I have seen so far shows that the country is in the right direction at meeting up with the 2017-2030 National Science,Technology and Innovation Road map.
Dr.Ganduje however called on the states of the federation and other stakeholders to leverage on the functions of the National Council on Science,Technology and Innovation which are geared towards fast tracking the socio-economic development of the nation.
On his part, the Minister of Science,Technology and Innovation, Dr.Ogbonnaya Onu said over the years the Federal Government has always pay special attention to the council meetings because it provides the opportunity for it to interact with the State Governments in the preparation,monitoring and supervision of policies that guide STI in the country.
“This gives the Federal Government the opportunity to know what is happening in the States with respect to the application of STI to their development the Minister said”.
He also commended the support and cooperation given by the Kano State Government towards organising the meeting of the council.
The theme of the 20th council meeting was “Achieving Nigeria’s competitiveness through application of science,technology and innovation”.
Those in attendance were the Minister of State for STI Barr.Muhammad Abdullahi, Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria Clara Pulido, Overseeing Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mr.Idowu Afe,Kano State Commissioner of STI Alh.Idris Garba Unguwar Rimi, Other Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries of STI.
