FG urges scientists to help boost nation’s economy

THE Federal Government has called on scientists to produce books that would serve as guides for budding entrepreneurs with a view to boosting the nation’s economy.

Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, who made the appeal during the public presentation and launching of the book entitled ‘Inside Tomato’: The Role of Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Tomato Production in Nigeria’, said the nation’s GDP could grow higher with proper application of science, technology and Innovation in the economic scheme of things.

Dr Onu, who later purchased 100 copies to be distributed to schools and non-government organisations (NGOs) to inspire younger generations, said the book is all about how Nigeria can be self-reliant.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, who was the book reviewer, had quoted the author as saying tomato is a lucrative crop to invest in as it guarantees double return on investment in less than nine months.

He advocated that tomato production should be included in the agricultural revolution currently sweeping the country and added that the nation has achieved almost 100 per cent self-reliance in food production.

Adesina said that the book would promote the production of tomato and improve investment in tomatoes and agriculture in the country.

He highlighted the role of tomato production and its contribution to the economic fortunes of the country.

While launching the book, the chief launcher, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, said the nation should divert power and wealth to the grass roots, so as to reduce  wealth gap and inequality in the country.

The launching of the book, he added, was in line with the current administration’s desire to diversify the nation’s economy from a mono-economy to one that is reliant on agriculture and other sectors of the economy.

He said tomato production, could serve as value-chain for achieving the economic diversification policy of the Federal Government, adding that all citizens should contribute their quota to achieving the economic diversification effort.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, who was the keynote Speaker, Professor Suleiman Bala Muhammed, said Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) is experiencing a new lease of life in Nigeria today, and would be critical in the development of the country.