By Yahaya Idris, Abuja.
The Minister of State for Science and Technology, Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi, says Nigeria is working assiduously towards developing its own spacecraft in the next ten years.
Barr. Abdullahi disclose when he received the Editor-In- Chief of Daily Trust, Mallam Naziru Mikailu in his office on Thursday, said that Nigeria must look inward for technological breakthrough to be able to compete favorably with other nations.
In a statement by Maryam Zakari Director, Press and Public Relations in the Ministry For Science and Technology, quoted the Minister as saying that it is high time Nigeria developed adequate robotic capacity to replace heavy industrial machinery which is no longer in vogue.
He further stated that the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), a flagship agency of the Ministry, is already experimenting with Reverse Engineering technology to develop fighter jets to support Nigeria’s security and the war against terrorism and banditry.
“With the Covid-19 pandemic, many countries are beginning to rely on their own resources for survival, even almighty Europe was seen struggling to produce ventilators”, he added.
Barrister Abdullahi also said that the Ministry will continue to focus on technology that addresses internal problems and one that is globally competitive so as to generate revenue for the country.
He lauded the agencies of the Ministry for rising up to the challenge of Covid-19 by producing ventilators, disinfectants, safety tunnels, and diagnostic test kits, qualitative face masks among others things.
The Ministry, he added, is at present partnering with UNESCO and African Union Committee on Science and Technology in the area of sharing knowledge on latest scientific innovations.
He seek synergy with the Media, particularly Daily Trust to assist the Ministry by upping the ante in Science and Technology reportage and enlightenment.
Speaking earlier, the Editor-In-Chief of the Daily Trust, Mallam Naziru Mikailu, said the role of Science and Technology is very crucial to the development of the country, especially as the Nigeria is moving towards digital economy, adding that Science, Technology and Innovation will play a key role, especially with our bulging youths population.
He further assured that Daily Trust will pay more attention to science and technology and entrepreneurship reporting which he believed will be to the mutual benefits of the Ministry, the Daily Trust and the nation in general.
