OKWUDOR, IMO STATE – (Federal Ministry of Science & Technology Report) – The Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu (Dr) has said that agencies of the Ministry are now geared to impart relevant skills to Nigerian youths through technological innovations.
Ogbonnaya Onu disclosed this at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the the Research and Design Extension Centre of the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) and the Bio-Resource Development Centre of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) on Friday 22nd of March in Okwudor, Imo State.
The Minister who described both agencies as the pivot of the Ministry inferred that  the centres will assist the people in agricultural production and boost other economic activities. Adding, the centre will give all the necessary training required for business growth as well as boost Nigeria’s export, ensuring less reliance on oil and gas.
Onu further said that the centres will help increase job and wealth creation, indicating  that if the country improves on its productivity, it would become more versatile, thus creating more international demands for its products. He implied that the skills induced by technology are more durable, cost-effective and beneficial to the society.
While describing the centre as a regional-bloc project for the South-East, the Minister assured that similar centres would be established in other geo-political zones of the country. He charged the host community to ensure proper protection for properties at the centre.
The beneficiaries of the centres, according to him would be encouraged to access credit facilities from the Bank of Industry, pending the creation of a Science and Technology Bank that would assist scientists, inventors and innovators to access credit at low interest rates.
Speaking earlier, the Acting Director – General of NILEST, Eucharia Oparah (Dr) said that the NILEST Centre will bring the enormous benefits of leather to the South-East region and Nigeria at large. She appealed to all stakeholders to ensure that the project succeeds.
Also speaking at the event, the Acting Director – General of the National Bio-technology Development Agency (NABDA), Alex U. Akpa (Prof) informed that the NABDA Resource Centre will help in protecting the environment and curtailing erosion, while improving economically important bio-resources. He continued that the Bio-Resource Centre will empower youths and women in skills acquisition and bio-resources wealth creation.
