Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the country will attain
greatness when it shifts emphasis from consumption to production.
The vice president stated this at the first-ever National
Innovation Workshop, organised by the Senate Committee on Science, Technology
and Innovation in Awka, Anambra State, yesterday, under the chairmanship of
Senator Uche Ekwunife.
Osinbajo, who was represented by the Minister of State for
Science and Technology, Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh said the federal government will
continue to support innovation, and encouraged inventors to think towards the
commercialisation of their products.
Osinbajo said: “I commend Senator Uche Ekwunife for her
passion and commitment in leading the Senate Committee on Science, Technology
and Innovation. This workshop of today is a unique platform that offers
Nigerians the opportunity to rebrand the national innovation ecosystem, with
emphasis on technology and entrepreneurship.
“As you are aware, the Office of the Vice President has been
championing the adoption of innovative technology as a key tool to accelerate
social economic development in Nigeria. The way to go to bridge the gap between
the poor and the rich is by thinking out of the box, through innovation and
commercialization of course.
“Nigeria will be great only when we begin to shift our
emphasis from a consuming nation. We must rely on production and that is the
only way to go.
“The positive outcome of this workshop will no doubt change
the narrative from a dependant nation to a self-reliant country, and indeed
promote innovation and social economic benefit. I wish to assure you all that
FG will continue to make efforts to advance STI (Science, Technology and
Innovation) in Nigeria.”
Ekwunife in her keynote address said the theme of the
workshop was “Promotion of Local Inventors of Science, Technology and
Innovation,” saying that technology and innovation have continued to change the
cause of human history, creating quantum prosperity for all who harvest from
it.
“I have no doubt that Nigeria is rich in human capital and
has the capacity to bring out the much-needed innovation and inventions that
will eliminate poverty and lead us to prosperity with double-digit GDP growth.
“It is gratifying to note that our new development plan, the
Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, ERGP, has recognized the important position
occupied by STI in all economic activities of the nation.
“In order to achieve our goal, it has become necessary under
my leadership in the Senate to intensify on Research and Innovation as well as
increase awareness amongst Nigerians on the importance of STI in the life of
the nation.
“Evidence from around the world has proved that research and
innovation are necessary growth determinants, which must work together to
attain sustainable national growth and development.”
Ekwunife said STI sector under the supervision of the
Federal Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation is poised to move Nigeria
from a resource based to a knowledge-based economy, driven by creativity and
innovation. She added that the Senate is supporting the ministry and its
agencies in the implementation of their policies.
The workshop was attended by Anambra State governor, Prof.
Chukwuma Soludo, former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the
Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and the Speaker of Anambra State
House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Okafor, among others. The workshop also
featured an exhibition of inventions by several inventors across Nigeria.
The host, Soludo urged Nigerians to form a habit of
patronizing local inventors, saying that was the only way the country can grow.
He added that Anambra government has made it a policy to patronize local
inventors.
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