The Minister of Science and Technology , Dr Ogbonnaya Onu has said that with the various Science Technology and Innovation policies evolved by the Ministry , Nigeria will soon produce noble laureates in the Sciences.
One of the policies, according to the Dr Onu, is the proposed establishment of the National Science and Technology Museum to lay the foundation for infrastructural development of the country.
Dr Onu said this while receiving the report of the establishment of the National Science and Technology Museum (NSTM) in his office in Abuja today (Friday 14thSeptember, 2017).
Dr Onu said that the idea behind the Museum was to encourage the involvement of the Nigerian citizenry, especially youths to re-orientate their mindsets towards imbibing science and technology as way of life.
Mr Minister noted that the Museum is a unique project given the fact that if the project was utilized it would serve as a catalyst for scientific and technological development of the country.
Dr Onu said that our ancestors understudied and understood their environments which culminated in their domination of territories and kingdoms to produce artefacts’ such as Ife Bronze, Nok culture , Benin historical walls and artefacts and Igbo –Ukwu artefacts through their creative deployment of science and technology .
Mr Minister noted that the Museum is a unique project given the fact that if this project is utilized it will serve as a catalyst in the process of technology and innovation development in Nigeria.
He encouraged Nigerians to key into the Museum project especially at the states level, as this will enable our youths to utilize and deploy science and technology for sectoral development of our nation.
The Minister also assured that “ though we are at the verge of another era of development through the establishment of this project, we will be able to display our commitment and political will by turning things around for the betterment of the average Nigerian Youths.”
Dr Onu commended the Committee for its hard work and commitment in delivering the reports within the stipulated period.
Earlier the Chairman of the Committee The Director of Science Technology Promotion in the Ministry , Mr Ekanem Udoh told the minister that the Museum ,when completed will incorporate the Science and Technology Innovation (STI) of our ancestors in a manner that will showcase they understood their environment and will also help the youths to have hands- on knowledge of natural phenomena and important scientific and technological events.