Onu pledges to carry through with new inventions

Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has promised  Nigerians that he would carry through with the newly discovered  inventions up to the stage of commercialisation, so that the products can benefit the country’s economy.

The minister made the pledge yesterday while declaring close, this year’s Technology and Innovation Expo held in Abuja. Speaking to the inventors and innovators, Onu said: “Our hearts will never depart from you because you are the future of Nigeria. We shall follow up on your inventions and mobilise the Organised Private Sector to work with you in the pursuit of the commercialisation of your inventions”.

The minister added that it is the intention of the current administration to move the nation towards self-sufficiency, prosperity, international respect and acclaim. Earlier while reading out the report of the assessment committee for the exhibition, chairman of the committee, Prof Peter Onwualu had suggested that 10 of the innovations be selected and driven to commercialisation.

The committee report also indicated that with the quality and quantity of work presented at the expo, Nigerian engineers and technicians can actually stop the importation of a whole range of products.

The report, however, noted poor networking among researchers, poor adherence to standars, poor finishing and packaging as some of the challenges that must be tackled. Onwualu informwed that 155 participants exhibited 578 projects at the expo.