By Hillary Asemota
There has been pervasive upbeat across the country with the atmosphere filled with optimism just barely four days to Nigeria’s annual Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Expo, as the 2022 edition unfolds from Monday 14to 18 at the Eagles Square in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The annual expo has become Nigeria’s mecca of STI convergence where creative minds and innovative STI stakeholder interface to display their innovations and breakthrough as contribution to the growth and development of Nigeria’s knowledge intensive industries.
As Nigerians look with great expectation to the 6th edition, the Minister supervising the Ministry, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, acknowledged this optimism on Wednesday when he averred that this year’s edition will enable investors and innovators of various scientific feat have an opportunity to synergise and work out possible solutions.
Mr. Afonja Ajibola, Spokesperson for the Ministry while reinforcing the assertion in a statement rolled out to Journalists at the Ministry’s Headquarters, added that the STI Expo is traditionally an avenue for scientific innovators to meet with investors, who will help showcase and commercialize their research findings.
He quoted Dr. Onu, as making the assertion when he Minister received the site plan by the Co-ordinator of Niphemy solutions/Mirakon events, Mr. Myke Okokon in his office in Abuja on Wednesday.
Apart from President Muhammadu Buhari, coming to declare the event opened, this year’s edition will be unique, because innovators from all sectors: informal, formal, academia, state governments will be afforded an opportunity to showcase their inventions to the world.
The statement added: “The Expo activities, Dr. Onu said, will include an opening ceremony, technical sessions, platforms for interaction between investors, innovators and researchers and presentation of the best three young scientists in the country.
The Minister invited all Nigerians, research institutes, universities, Federal/State MDA’s, Polytechnics, Industrial laboratories, Organised Private Sector and the general public to the event.
He emphasised that COVID-19 precautions and measures have been put in place to ensure safety of all stakeholders and participants at the event.
The coordinator of Niphemy solutions/Mirakon events, Mr. Myke Okokon, said that preparations are on top gear to ensure the success of the event.
In a telephone chat, Edo State Ministry of Science Technology and ICT has expressed intention of full representation at the annual event. Ahead of the event, Mrs, Birgitta Okodugha, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said, Edo will be there as our state will be presented with an award courtesy of the 2021 President Muhammadu Buhari Young Scientist Award.
Edo State came third as Ogun and Gombe came second and first positions in the keenly contested competition.