…Move to strengthen existing bilateral ties
By Hillary Asemota
In its deep commitment to lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within the next decade, the Federal Government and the European Union (EU) are finetuning strategises toward making agriculture as business model for wealth creation and employment generation for its youths.
This is coming even as it is ramping efforts to intensify research findings through deployment of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).
Towards this end, the Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu has reiterated that Nigerian and the European Union will also strengthen its existing bilateral ties especially in the area of agriculture and research findings.
Onu stated this on Thursday when the Ambassador to the European Union, Ms. Samuela Isopi, paid him a courtesy visit.
He expressed Nigeria’s determination be an industrialised nation, become self-reliant so as to feed its over 200 million population, create jobs and reduce poverty to the barest minimum.
Onu, further explores other areas in STI will be of mutual benefit to both parties, adding that the nation is prepared to work with the EU to make sure the desired objective is realised.
As a country, the Minister said that, we need to solve some problems using STI in the areas of Agriculture, Education and security.
He reiterated that the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration is determined to uplift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next decade and that is why the government is investing more on STI.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Barr. Mohammed Abdullahi implored the envoy to widen the scope of their assistance to Africa on the development of STI.
He added that areas such as Nano-tech, Fintech, Engineering, Agriculture and many other areas could be invested into by the European Union.
Earlier, Isopi, said that they are interested in working with Nigeria in the area of STI, as it is a pillar for sustainable development.
According to the Ambassador, one of their objectives is to have a focal point of each team to be trained and robust in their capacity.
The statement was signed by Mr. Afonja Ajibola for the Ministry.