By Mohammed Mohammed
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has said that the Ministry is ready to collaborate with the stakeholders to fast track Nigeria’s economic growth.
Nnaji stated that collaborative spirit has been instrumental in addressing national challenges and paving the way for a prosperous future of any nation, Nigeria inclusive.
According to Nnaji: “Today, I am pleased to formally announce that President Bola Tinubu’s Administration is highly interested in the creation of the National Research and Development Innovation (RDI) Coordination Centre under the supervision of the Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology.
The Deputy Director, Media and Public in the Ministry, Mr. Atuora Obed O, quoted the Minister as saying that the Centre will serve as a strategic hub for integrating and enhancing our RDI efforts nationwide, ensuring that we capitalize on our collective knowledge and resources.
The Minister said this on Thursday when a delegation of Research for Impact Knowledge Economy and Sustainable Development (RIKESP) led by the Executive Director, Dr. Mustapha Ayo Poopola, presented him a report on the Nigeria Research Development Innovation Coordination Submit and Think-Tank of the Eight (8) Presidential Priority Areas of President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
Nnaji, further said that the present administration is highly interested in the creation of National Research Development and Innovation Centre under the supervision of the Ministry.
He pointed out that the Centre will serve as a strategic hub for integrating and enhancing our Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) efforts nationwide to ensure that we capitalize on our collective knowledge and resources in the country.
To this end, the Minister enjoined all the Agencies under the Ministry to fully engage with the RDI coordination center for active participation is crucial for the seamless motivation and success of the initiative in the country.
He then, commended the team for their dedication and commitment towards realization of the project, adding that together we will build a brighter and more prosperous Nigeria.
Speaking, the Permanent Secretary of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye said that Science Technology and Innovation is the bed rock of development for any nation, Nigeria inclusive.
She further said that no country will develop without the full deployment of scientific apparatus to all the sectors of the economy.
She emphasized that the Ministry is putting in place tools that will enhance the transformation of research and development products into goods and services for commercialization and economic growth of the Nation.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Research for Impact Knowledge Economy and Sustainable Development (RIKESP) Dr. Mustapha Ayo Poopola, said that the idea of the project is to use the instrumentality of Science, Technology and Innovation, Research and Development to interface with Mr. President’s eight (8) priority areas for the socio- economy development of the nation.
He then enjoined the Ministry and agencies of Government to leverage on Mr. President’s directives to work in synergy in order to achieve the socio-economic advancement of the country.