From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
In its quest to break the hurdle between traders and the government, the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has signed an agreement with the association of Computer Village technology merchants.
Minister Uche Nnaji while delivering his keynote address at the ceremony in Abuja, said the signing of the Mou is a crucial step towards the shared goal of reducing imports into Nigeria and fostering talent development in the ICT sector.
He noted that the initiative aligns perfectly with the 8-point agenda of President Bola Tinubu which focuses particularly on Job Creation and Economic Growth.
Nnaji highlighted that by harnessing the power of STI, the aim to address poverty, create wealth, generate employment and redefine traditional values will be achieved.
And also to ensure national prosperity and enhance our global competitiveness by aligning local technological needs with international opportunities, expanding our capacity to produce more value-added goods and services.
“These objectives are not just aligned with the national agenda but are also crucial for laying the foundation for a prosperous and self-reliant Nigeria.
We are committed to seeing this MOU implemented successfully, and as such, the Permanent Secretary will establish a committee comprising representatives from both parties to begin working on the implementation details”, he said.
According to him, in today’s world, the economic success and industrial leadership of nations and corporations are primarily fueled by STI.
The minister acknowledged that countries achieving remarkable strides in sustainable economic development owe their success to substantial investments in STI.
He said that the investments not only drive continuous productivity growth but also pave the way for inclusive and sustainable industrial advancements.
He gave incites on nations like China, India, Malaysia, and Brazil that have effectively transitioned from poverty to their current levels of economic development by leveraging Science, Technology, and Innovation to diversify their economies.
However, Nnaji emphasised that Science, Technology, and Innovation STI, remain the driving forces behind the progress and development of any nation.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Computer Village Technology Merchants, Anthony Nwakeze said the agenda of the group is to empower common Nigerians through technology development.
Nwakeze who appreciated the ministry for breaching the gap between the government and the masses, added that it was his first time of experiencing it over his forty years in Nigeria’s business sector.