The Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science, and Innovation, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji has said that Federal Government has given Grants Award to thirty-two (32) innovators and inventors across the six geo-political zones of the country.
Nnaji stated that the Presidential Standing Committee on Inventions and Innovations (PSCII) was inaugurated by the Federal Government in October,2005, to encourage and promote inventions and innovations in the country.
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye said this at the 2023 Grants Award Ceremony of the Presidential Standing Committee on Inventions and Innovations (PSCII) today in Abuja.
He further said that more than 600 inventors and innovators have benefitted from the grants across the six geo-political zones of the country, since the inception of the PSCII programme in 2005.
He also, said that collaboration with private sector will facilitate the achievement of the desired goal of the Programme by providing a solid foundation for technological breakthrough as well as improve the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
In the same vein, Nnaji stated that global competitiveness will contribute to job and wealth creation, improved wellbeing and quality of lives of Nigerians.
To this end, the Minister urged the beneficiaries to utilize the Grants judiciously and then, encouraged them to work hard in order to surmount the challenges of unemployment and poverty in the country.
Speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye who was represented by the Deputy Director, overseeing Department of Technology Acquisition and Adaptation (TAA), Eng. Azuftama Dahiru, said that N47, 000,000.00 was granted to the 32 beneficiaries.
Esuabana Nko Asanye while stating that the grants range from one to five million naira to each awardee, added that the Programme is to encourage Nigerians particularly, those in the informal sector that have viable technological ideas capable of impacting positively on citizenry and the economy.
Earlier in her goodwill message, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) Dr. Patricia Uche Chukwu said that inventions and innovations advancement ensures great technological progress which assures efficient production, prosperity and economic growth of the Country.
Atuora Obed O.
Deputy Director/Head
(Information and Public Relations)
