…As it inaugurates EX.05 Implementation C’ttee
By Ignatius Okorocha
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu on Thursday inaugurated the technical consultative committee of the strategy implementation task office for presidential executive order no 5 in Abuja.
This is as the Federal government through the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has expressed its determination to revolutionize the nation’s economy and create job opportunities of millions of jobless Nigerians.
Recall that Presidential Executive Order 5 is a revolutionary document, designed by the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to place Nigerian professionals as well as manufacturers at the center of the Nigerian Economy.
While inaugurating the committee, Onu charged the members to find out from all stakeholders, professional bodies, contractors, manufacturers, on all problems and challenges preventing them from participating effectively in the Nigeria economy.
The Minister who described the 204 members of the committee as “Wise Men and Women, urged them to focus on their mandates which include;
i. The overall deepening of a knowledge based economy that is innovation driven
ii. Rapid movement of Nigeria to become an industrialized nation
iii. Creation of an enabling environment, so as to mobilize local investment, as well as attract more foreign direct investment and
iv. Help achieve economic empowerment of Nigerian professionals as well as manufacturers.
He enjoined members of the committee, to be fully abreast with the details of the Executive Order 5 and ensure that their activities would ensure the full implementation of the EX.05, for the benefits of Nigeria.
In his address, he assured that;
“The Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (FMSTI), will develop six Technology and Innovation Centers (TICs) established by Executive Order 5 in the six geo-political zones of the country to increase productivity and global competitiveness ranking of our country.
The Federal Government will do its utmost to ensure that the Executive Order No 5 is fully implemented as this will help create wealth, reduce poverty and provide employment for our people.”
Earlier, Minister of State for Science and Technology, Barr.Mohammed Abdullahi had said that the Presidential Executive Order No. 5 is a novel initiative of the present Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to set the Nation on the path of viable and sustainable economic growth and rapid transformation using Science Technology and Innovation instruments/platform.
Abdullahi explained that the Presidential Executive Order 5 is key to achieving self reliance, self sufficiency through Local Content development in STI Sector, which is the major objective it is aimed to achieve.
He further stated that it is also aimed at planning, Execution of projects, promotion of Nigerian Content in Contracts, Science, Engineering and Technology through Medium Term National development plan(MTNDP) and the Nigeria Agenda 2050 which is a key to achieving self-reliance and Self Sufficiency.
The Minister charged the designated members to use their skills and experience in achieving full implementation of the Presidential Executive Order 5, as it is one of the tools for transforming Nigeria Economy from Resource base to a knowledge based economy driven by innovation.
He further noted that the ministry’s recent name is a clear indication of the FG’s commitment to the utilization of Science Technology and Innovation for rapid growth and industrialization.
FMST he said would do everything within the ambit of the Law to provide the committee with an enabling environment to succeed in this enormous task.
Meanwhile the Consultative committee’s chairman and coordinator, Engr. Ibiam Oguejiofor, said that under his leadership they will adopt a “bottom to top approach” policy, in order to fully tackle the implementation of EX 05. For the benefit of Nigeria.
He assured the Ministry that the committee will work diligently and in line with the rule of law.
