By Nonye Muo/Nwanneka Okechukwu :
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo says his administration will continue to support science, technology and innovations for the state to be transformed into the foremost hub of industrial technology, leisure and entertainment in West Africa.
Gov. Soludo said this at the fourth International Conference and Exhibitions for Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship organized by the Faculty of Physical Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in association with Anambra State Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.
The conference was themed, “Advancing Nigerian Content Development For Industrial Productivity and Sustainable Digital Economy”.
Gov. Soludo who was represented by the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Barr. Anthony Ifeanya said his vision and goal for the state of becoming a livable and prosperous smart megacity leveraging on the emergent technologies of the fourth industrial revolution was made known during his inaugural speech.
He stressed the need for the people to align their thinking in line with the establishment of efficient science and technology innovation ecosystem in the state and region by adopting the United States model of Science and Technology.
In her keynote address, the Wife of the Governor of Kano State, Prof. Hafsatu Ganduje represented by Dr. Clement Igbaji of the Department of Education Foundation, Federal University Kashere, Gombe State, appealed to all Nigerians and government at all levels to venture into entrepreneurship and take the lead towards discovery and technology.
In a remark, the Commissioner for Education, Anambra State, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh represented by the Principal Technical Instructor of the ministry, Mr. Chike Chiekwe said that no country can make it without the development of its indigenous technology, adding that the conference is apt for a nation awakening in the need for continuous improvement of its indigenous technology considering its enormous advantages.
In his speech, the Chairman on the occasion, Prof. Anthony Ikefuna, represented by Prof. Moses Chendo who explained that science, technology and innovation are essential drivers of sustainable and inclusive development, maintained that no meaningful development can take place without the deployment of scientific principles in the production chain.
The host and Dean Faculty of Physical Sciences of the University, Professor Kingsley Nwozor noted that the conference was designed to reposition the state for greatness and to fast track the pace of the university, through Industrial Research and Innovative Endowment Fund, while stating that there cannot be economic recovery or advancements of the economy of any nation without science and technology,
The Chairman, Local Organizing Committee and Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics of the University, Prof. Osita Chiaghanam, who also represented the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Greg Nwakobi said the annual event is a huge academic achievement for the faculty and university at large noting that oil and gas is a jealous business.
He expressed optimism that science, technology and innovation will in no distant time be a standalone ministry, given the intellectual capacity of Governor Soludo.
The Director Science and Technology in the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Mrs. Chinwe Achugbu, commended and encouraged the students and young inventors promising to give them directives and answer to their questions anytime they bring their difficulties to the ministry.
The National President, Association of Nigerian Inventors, Mr. Lawrence Ezenagu was among the speakers at the conference.
The event featured exhibition of innovation by various secondary schools and the presentation of awards to dignitaries including, Commissioner Ifeanya.
