Technology: I will work with past ministers – Onu

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, says he will work with former ministers to advance technology in the country.

Onu made the statement in Abuja on Thursday at a meeting with past Ministers of Science and Technology.

He said the meeting was aimed to create platform for cross-fertilisation of ideas and to properly identify and address challenges confronting Science, Technology Innovation (STI) in the country.

The minister implored the former ministers to reveal the strategies behind successes and challenges of their tenures, to enable him to enhance technology in the country.

Onu said that the Federal Government planned to deploy the country’s abundant natural resources to grow the national economy.

In his remarks, a former minister, Dr Abdu Bulama, commended Onu for involving his former colleagues in advancing technology.

Bulama urged Onu to fully establish the National Research and Innovation Council (NRIC) to bridge the link between research and industrialization.

“No nation can develop technologically, if it continued to rely on primary commodities, either raw minerals or agricultural produce.’’

Bulama added that such step would help the ministry to easily access National Research and Innovation Fund (NFIC).

Contributing, Mrs Pauline Tallen, another former minister, urged Onu to encourage research institutes to advance technology for sustainability.

Tallen further advised Onu to ensure that the National Information Technology Development Agency returned to the ministry.

Another former minister, Mr Abdulahi Ibrahim, said that adequate funding should be made available for the ministry to promote innovations.

He advised the ministry to encourage indigenous technology development and partnership with the private sector to enhance technologocal growth.

In her remarks, Mrs Grace Ekpiwhre, who also headed the ministry in the past, urged the minister to encourage synergy among the agencies in the ministry to fast- track national development.

She suggested that there was need to encourage every stakeholder in the sector to sustain the spirit of integrity and sportsmanship, to uplift the country.