Lagos harps on science, technology for development

• Claims UAVs critical to smart city initiative
The Lagos State Government has reiterated the need for states to invest in science and technology if Nigeria must be liberated and scale in development.

According to Lagos, while science is the bedrock of technology, its goal of achieving technological advancement can only be realised if the study of science subjects is encouraged in schools.

Governor Babajide SanwoOlu, who stated this on Monday, in Lagos, at the commemoration of the World Science Day for Peace and Development, said in line with the focus of his administration, it has become expedient to equip students with the knowledge and skills for the 21st century.

SanwoOlu, represented the state’s Commissioner for Science and Tech, Hakeem Fahm, promised that adequate attention would be given to providing well equipped science laboratories in the state’s schools.

‘‘Through our science curriculum, we will equip every child with skills and knowledge they will need in their next stage of education, whilst also supporting them to see how much science has changed our world and also understand how connected it is to their future,’’ SanwoOlu stated.

Meanwhile, the Lagos Governor has said the state is committed to actualising its smart city status with the procurement of two Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

SanwoOlu, who disclosed this at the inauguration of the two Tiguar S-410 UAVs at the Sport complex of Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, said the UAVs will provide a more convenient system, to deliver the digital mapping infrastructure that will support the vision of making Lagos a 21st Century economy, driven by innovation and technology.

“We are confident that with this Project, LASG will also be able to control the process, rather than working with an outside vendor or being stuck with generic imagery that doesn’t meet the temporal requirement, SanwoOlu added.

The Governor further revealed that this new development will transform the landscape of the state, delivering befitting systems that support our dream of a greater Lagos State, enhance the aesthetics of our environment and uplift the standard of living of Lagosians without Jeopardizing their livelihood.

“It is our belief that the improved geospatial data from this initiative, will ultimately lead to improved planning and services to the people,” he added.

“It is a privilege for the U.S. to host us. The event is to reintroduce ourselves to customers, and introduce ourselves to new customers. We now have engines that work for automotive, construction, homes, and port handling equipment. It is a very important area where we have invested a lot of our engines specified and deployed.

“The focus is on reinforcing that commitment that we’ve made to customers to keep their operations running through our services. Thinking about Nigeria and its position in Africa, we want to establish that presence and send the signal to the community that we are here for the long term,” Obatoyin added.