Federal Executive Council declares state of emergency in Science and Technology sector

Federal Executive Council declares state of emergency in Science and Technology sector

- Ogbonnaya Onu, minister for science and technology, stated that the move to declare a state of emergency was made in recognition of the cardinal place of science and technology in driving the economy

- Onu revealed that the council had further resolved to help Nigerian firms produce the country’s needs, by encouraging technological development

- The minister also disclosed that Ministry of Foreign Affairs would help the country improve its free visa status ranking from the present 92nd position it currently occupies

The minister for science and technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, has disclosed that a state of emergency has been declared in the sector, by the Federal Executive Council, Daily Trust reports.

Legit.ng notes that Onu made his comments in a chat with state house correspondents, after the FEC meeting.

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He disclosed that the move was made because the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan of the Buhari administration recognized the cardinal place of science and technology in driving the economy.

He revealed that a policy had been approved by the council to help Nigerian firms produce the country’s needs, by encouraging technological development.

In his words: “We are not looking for transfer of technology because we know it would not happen; what we are looking for is acquisition of technology and we are interested in building our own capacity.

“We are convinced that we can do this and we believe that with the new policy we will be in a position to acquire technology.’’

The minister also disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would help the country improve its free visa status ranking from the present 92nd position it currently occupies.

According to Onu, this is a very low position for the country as it allows Nigerians to enter only 45 countries on free visa.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Nigerian minister of science and technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, revealed how Nigeria ranks in the world when it comes to technological readiness.

Quoting the global competitiveness report for 2015/2016, Onu said Nigeria recorded a score of 3.0 out of 7 and ranked 106 out of 140 countries on technological readiness and a score of 2.8 out of 7 with a rank of 117 out of 140 countries on innovation.

Watch this Legit.ng TV video asking which of Buharis ministers should be sacked.

Source: Legit.ng

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