Portuguese scientists visit Nigeria

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, yesterday commended Portuguese Scientists who are on a visit to the country for the Nigerian-Portuguese Scientists’ Conference.

Onu expressed confidence that the conference would foster friendship and promote the deployment of science and innovation for sustainable development between the two countries.

He noted that Nigeria and Portugal have a long standing relationship dating back to centuries, adding that the of the current generation of Nigerians have a responsibility to work closely together to deepen the friendship between the two countries for the good of humanity.

He stressed the need for intensive study of the Atlantic Ocean saying that if properly studied and managed, it could be of tremendous benefit to both economies.

“Knowledge about space and the oceans is limited, yet both hold a lot of promise for the future of humanity,” he said.

He disclosed that Nigeria was participating as a founding member of the Atlantic International Research Centre (AIRC) and urged scientists to show keen interest and deploy their expertise in the study of the Atlantic Ocean.

Speaking on Science, Technology and Nigeria-Portuguese Collaborative Framework, Onu said the Federal Government has begun implementation of the National Science, Technology Implementation Roadmap (NSITR) 2030 to guide the country in using STI for national development. Its report was recently presented to the public.

The roadmap intends to use STI to drive economic growth and diversification of the nation’s economy.

It is believed that the document will also promote commercialisation of Nigeria’s Research and Development (R&D) results, create employment and wealth, reduce poverty and support the realisation of the goals of the Nigerian Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (NERGP).

The two-day conference will have scientists from both countries holding technical sessions in areas such as:  Space science and technologies for socioeconomic development, biotechnology and natural products for health, marine and industrialization.

Others are process and manufacturing technology skills development, research and development, industry linkages; science and society; renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Musa Adamu who attended the opening ceremony commended Onu for inviting the Portuguese scientists.

He noted that science and technology would bridge the gap between government and the industry.

He gave two plots of land to the ministry of Science and Technology to build a museum.