STI, Critical Element In Nigeria’s Economic Diversification, Says Okowa.


BY ANDREW IKEHI
DELTA State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has said that in order to achieve the nation’s goal of diversifying its economy and thus; revamp it from the present status, Science, Technology and Innovations (STI) must form the major bedrock.
The Governor stated this in Asaba, the state capital during the opening ceremony of the 2017 Delta State Science Technology and Innovation council meeting organised by the State Ministry of Science and Technology.
The theme of the meeting, our correspondent reports, is; Science Technology and Innovation: Translating Ideas to Economic Prosperity”.
The Governor who was represented by the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Chiedu Ebie said that given the dwindling price of oil at the international market, coupled with the competitiveness in other alternatives, it has become imperative that the nation should begin to channel attention to resuscitating and activating of its inherent potentials using science, technology and innovation.
He said that as part of deliberate move by the state government to ensure accelerated industrialisation in the state, the state government is keen on jump starting the innovative and inventive mindset among youths in the state by harnessing and encouraging ingenious, resourceful and self-sustainig ideas.
While describing the meeting as apt and timely given its theme;”Science, Technology and Innovation:Translating ideas to Economic Prosperity” Governor Okowa enjoined the council meeting to assist in creating veritable platform for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) investment, manufacturing of goods and services that would meet international specified standards
He said, “It is hoped that at the end of this meeting, the state will have a workable document that will be invaluable towards restructuring all sectors for the realisation of a sustainable economy that does not only promote knowledge acquisition, but encourage the application of the acquired knowledge to facilitate a sustained productive economy”.
In his address of welcome at the event, the state commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon. Joyce Overah said “No state can achieve its development goals of food security, wealth and job creation, poverty alleviation, without the right application of scientific and technical knowledge”.