BIDA – (Federal Ministry of Science & Technology Report) – The Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu (Dr) has challenged engineering students in the country to take advantage of Executive Order 5 to strive to become entrepreneurs and employers of labour.
Ogbonnaya Onu gave the charge lately at the 8th Biennial National Conference of the School of Engineering in the Federal Polytechnic in Bida, Niger State. The Minister, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the conference told the students that so long as anyone is prepared to work hard and excel in his operations to remain competitive, the person will get all the support needed. He added that by Executive Order 5, there is hope that in 20-30 years from now, Nigerian professionals can compete effectively and possibly overtake the very best in other parts of the world.
Speaking on the theme: “National Peace and Economic Transformation – The Role of Science and Technology,” Onu said that his coming to the great institution of higher learning was to encourage them and assure them that with hard work, commitment and determination, the future will be bright.
He further explained that the Executive Order 5 is a revolutionary instrument that is capable of changing the nation to a level of development that cannot be easily imagined. According to him, Executive Order 5 will help to redirect the economy from the old unsustainable path of being resource-based to a new sustainable and inclusive path of becoming knowledge and innovation-driven economy.
“In the efforts of the present admiration to popularize Science, Technology and Innovation as well as encourage the commercialization of innovation and development results, the Ministry has concluded arrangements to organize a Technology and Innovation Expo 2019,” the Minister informed.
He later hinted that the event will encourage invention and innovation in the country and bring together researchers, innovators, inventors and investors. Adding, the theme of the Expo: “Science, Technology and Innovation for Economic Recovery and Sustainable Growth” has been scheduled to hold from 14th – 18th of January 2018 in Enugu, Enugu State.
