The Federal government will soon issue an Executive Order as well as set up a National Research and Innovation Fund to address technological development, commercialization of research findings and also support technological Entrepreneurs in the country.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu disclosed this at the annual conveyance of technological hubs and startups in South–Eastern Nigeria organized by Genesys ignite at the weekend in Enugu.
Dr. Onu commended the initiatives of the private sector in playing its rightful role in driving the economy, adding that “we must get the private sector involved in changing the direction of our economy”. He also said that the government is creating the enabling environment through legislative and executive framework.
The Minister called on South Easterners to explore their enterprising potentials in technological development of the region as, according to him “top richest person in the world do not rely on their resources but brain adding that it is when research are translated into product and services that you can create wealth”.
Dr.Onu, who was the special guest of honour at the occation commended the Genesys Ingite for giving $10,000 each to three groups of young technology entrepreneurs/startups to build a sustainable and effective model that would exponentially drive economic productivity in the
region and Nigeria as a whole through youth development.
The Genesys Technological Hub, according to Kingsley Eze , the Chief Executive of the organization is a creativity and knowledge-based platform designed to drive innovation, productivity and economic output in Nigeria with a base in South Eastern region.
It focuses on undergraduates and young graduates as a center of learning and innovation in the area of digital technology by providing the enabling environment for startups in the tech industry to expand their horizons and gain access to market and resources that would
otherwise be out of their reach .
Earlier , the Chairman of the event , former Senate President, Senator ken Nnamani called on the youths to take advantage of the platform provided by Genesys Ignite to channel their energy into
technological development of the region instead of contesting for local government elections and 419 andl make the region compete with Silicon Valley in the USA .
He commended the organization for presenting a new platform for future growth to build economic model that will effectively drive the economic growth of the country by stimulating the consciousness of the youths, adding that computer appreciation should be made compulsory in schools.
The former Senate president said that Nigeria would soon be the technological hub of West Africa, noting that “If we take technology seriously, some years from now people will be coming from outside to acquaint themselves with the latest technology in Nigeria”
Pius Okigbo, the Chief Executive of infosoft Nigeria limited called for radical approach to enhance the learning of Science and technology, especially in the area of artificial intelligence. He planned to set up an academy where technicians would be taught artificial intelligence and software.
The event was put together to promote innovative business solutions /ideas by startups within the South East region and exposed participating startups to potential investors while seeking to become a catalyst for more innovative solutions in the region .
AbdulGaniyu Aminu
Deputy Director (FMST)
