By Dwelleth Morountodun
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday charged African Heads of State, institutions, academic community, innovators and stakeholders in industrialization space to inward for ingenious, effective and competitive ways to develop the continent using Science Technology and Innovation (STI).
The President, who was represented by his Chief of Staff CoS), Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, made the disclosure maiden conference of the African Forum on Research and Innovation (FARI), in Abuja.
According to him, FARI, has become the irreversible road map towards commitment to research and development which is necessary for diversification of socio-economic growth of Africa continent, using STI.
While underscoring the imperative of FARI in the sub-region, he explained that the annual meeting will proffer solutions to the challenges hindering the industrialization of Africa and ECOWAS.
He further said that the new generation of active and productive talents is being discovered to contribute their quota in surmounting the challenges confronting the economic growth of the region, hence, the need to create FARI.
President Buhari, reiterated that the time to move forward and act accordingly is apt, stressing that this can only be achieved through collaboration, development of human capacity, infrastructure, and technical skills among others in ECOWAS region.
According to him, half of the population of the West African region is 15 years old and above with an existing trait of unemployment, we need to channel their energy and creativity in acquiring skills that confront the development of our region.
He reiterated that Nigeria is committed to further strengthen collaboration with Science, Technology and Innovation experts as an integral part of her respective national development policies and plans.
In a remark, the Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, Dr. Adeleke Mamora, said that the forum is initiated to improve public understanding of STI in the region.
The Minister further said that the forum will help in creating a regular frame work between researchers, innovators as well as commercializing research results.
Earlier, the President of ECOWAS Commission Dr. Omar Alieu Touray said that STI is the driving force for structural transformation of economy and factors of integration into the world economy.
Also speaking, the Director, UNESCO Dakar regional office and OIC Abuja regional office, Dr. Dimitri Sanga, acknowledged that the clock is ticking for all countries including those in Africa to reach their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, adding that countries future economic growth depends on their timely transition to digital and green society driven by STI.
