MINISTER of Science and Technology, Dr
Ogbonnaya Onu, has decried the poor state of science and technology in the
country, saying that the neglect of the sector had hindered the speedy growth of
the nation’s economy.
Onu, made this remark in Nsukka, while
delivering University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) 56th Founders’ Day lecture
entitled: “Science, Technology and Innovation, the way Forward,” said it was as
result of post-independence neglect of science and technology that made the
country an oil mono economy which has hindered the speedy growth of the
economy.
According to him: “It’s unfortunate that
oil, is produced in the country and sent abroad to be processed because we do
not have the technology for processing it.
The country spend N1 billion monthly on importation of rice because we
do not have mechanised and technological driven agriculture that ensure mass
production of food, the country at 56 years cannot feed its citizen of about 170
million people, whereas China that has a population of 1.4 billion people feeds
its citizens and still have enough to export to other countries.”
He further stated that “Some of the top
economies of the world are not oil producing nations but their economies are
powered and sustained by science and technology. These countries apply science
and technology in every sector of their economy
“They used science and technology to
transform their economies and make their nations a prosperous nations. It’s
unfortunate that thirty five years ago N1 was equivalent to $1 but today, a
dollar is exchanged for above N450 because the country’s over-dependence on oil
only which has made it consuming nation that export nothing,” he said.
“The present administration is doing
everything within its power to see the country become a producing nation and
one of the top economies in the world. Buhari is given serious attention to
science and technology so that agriculture and other sectors of the economy
will be technological driven.
“Very soon science and technology bank will
be established in the country that will fund inventions and assist research
works in technology. This bank is necessary because all over the world, science
and technology cannot be fully funded from annual budget because of huge amount
involved,” he said.
In his remark, the vice-chancellor of UNN,
Prof Bejamin Ozumba, said the founders lecture was to honour the founding
fathers of the university, especially Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, who had a foresight to
establish a university that has the mandate to restore the dignity of man.
“The univerisity will continue to pursue
dreams and aspirations of its founding fathers which are aimed at restoring the
dignity of man via academic empowerment,” he said
Earlier in his remark, the chairman of the
occasion justice Peter Umeadi, described Onu as a humble, unassuming, patriotic
and rare gem who does not play politics of bitterness as well as one who had
contributed much to national development.
“The lecture is one who has endeared
himself to so many Nigerian because of his outstanding qualities.
“I commend UNN for its continue to honours
founding fathers who established this great citadel of learning, “he said
The highlight of the occasion was cutting
of 56th anniversary cake.
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