November 18, 2019	by Olusegun Shogbola in Press
TECHONOLOGY INCUBATION TO GROW NEW ENTREPRENEURS IN NIGERIA -ONU
The Federal Government is to further utilize technology incubation through incubation centres spread across the country to train and empower new entrepreneurs through technological start-up.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu disclosed this in a speech delivered at the summit on '' Leveraging The Digital Economy for Trade Investment' in the banquet hall of the state house, Abuja at the weekend.
According to Dr. Onu, there is encouraging result on this effort as some of these start-ups have continued to grow into large enterprises over the years.
Said he '' We have laid the foundation to help us get a new generation of entrepreneurs and business men and women that will use technologies developed in Nigeria, to compete favourably within the comity of the nations.''
Dr. Onu further said that the Ministry is vigorously commercializing research results by converting them into products and services for the market place.
He therefore appealed to the Organised Private Sector to key in by playing an important role in the commercialization of research results.
While saying that Nigeria lost out in the last three industrial revolutions, Dr. Onu stressed the need for Nigeria to participate fully in the fourth Industrial Revolution.
'' We are employing Science, Technology and Innovation to accelerate economic growth, in a way to achieve increased productivity, competitiveness, job and wealth creation, poverty reduction in an effort to achieve the happiness of Nigerians '' he added.
The Ministry, Dr. Onu he added that in the past four years, has developed five (5) policies to enable Nigeria attain new development models induced by the new digital economy and remain competitive. The policies are: Science, Technology and Innovation Road-map 2017-2030, the National Strategies for Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development in Nigeria, the Executive Order 5, Nigerian Policy on Leather and Leather Products and the recent National Policy on the use of Methanol Value Chain in Nigeria.
'' The Road-Map is a compass showing the way for Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government should do to help transform the economy from depending mainly on commodities to dependence on knowledge that is innovation driven.''
He further said, ''The National Strategy is helping Nigeria to reduce importation of goods and services into the country.''
''The Executive Order is a revolutionary document that will help Nigeria develop appropriate Technologies to solve national problems as well as encourage the use local content.''
''We are vigorously pursuing commercialization of research results so that they can be converted into products and services that would be available in the market place.'' He added.
With the largest population in Africa and one of the largest in the world coupled with the largest market and economy in Africa, Dr. Onu stressed the need for Nigeria to grow her economy so as to Feed, Clothe, House, Secure and enhance the standard of living of the people.
'' We therefore must do everything that is necessary to participate in the 4th Industrial Revolution.'' he further said.
ABDLGANIYu AMINu
Head, Press and Public Relation
16, November.2019.
FG DEPLOYS BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY
MINISTER SEEKS CLOSER TIES WITH EGYPT