FG awards scholarship to three young scientists up to PhD level

THE Federal Government has granted full scholarship up to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) level to three young scientists who came top at the 2018 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award Competition.

President Muhammadu Buhari who announced this while declaring open the Technology and Innovation Expo 2019 in Enugu, Enugu State, commended the creativity and competitive spirit of the successful candidates: Master Okeke Favour Obianuju from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Master Fafemi Fisayo Daniel from Kwara State and Master Joshua John Mark from Akwa Ibom State, who emerged first, second and third respectively.

• Labour urges National Assembly to approve N30,000 minimum wage

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, the president said Nigeria’s greatest resource is human capital, adding that his government would continue to support human resource development which is richly embodied in the youth who make up tens of millions of incredibly talented persons constantly pushing and striving towards greatness.

He said: “The future of Nigerians belongs to our youths and it behoves on government to create the enabling environment for them to develop to the fullest their potential. We will harness their energy and their talents to make Nigeria achieve true greatness.

Buhari said it is his conviction that government needs to ensure effective promotion and application of science and technology to take Nigeria to the next level of prosperous, strong and stable country.

He said: “This we can only achieve by deploying innovations in science and technology to improve on our existing and new infrastructure, fighting corruption and poverty, improvement in national security, promotion of job creation and encourage local and foreign investment.

“The government will support the creation of invention funds to strengthen research and development, training programmes and partnership with tertiary institutions, technical schools and trade centres in the area of research. To this end, the National Science Research and Innovation Fund (NSRIF) is being considered to remove grey areas for the passage into law,” he stated.

Earlier, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, said that the present administration is moving Nigeria to a new direction of a knowledge-based economy that is innovation-driven.

“Many of our research findings are now products available in the market place for our people to buy and use. We now make sure that the research we do focus on urgent national needs,” he added.