Hon. Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh (3rd right) Director-General Project Development Institute (PRODA) Enugu Engr. Dr. Peter Ogbobe (3rd left) Chairman Governing Board Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) His Royal Highness Eze Dr. Uche Egenti (2nd right) Director NASRDA Centre for Basic Space Science Nsukka Dr. Bonaventure Okere (2nd left) Permanent Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology Enugu State Mbah Christian (right) and Dr. Emeka Okengwu (left) standing during the National Anthem at the South East Dialogue on the Establishment and Implementation of the Technology and Innovation Centres for Global Competitiveness and Productivity, THEME: “Achieving Nigeria’s Competitiveness and Improved Foreign Exchange Earnings through Science, Technology and Innovation” today in Enugu State.

To strengthen financial, Fiscal, and Monetary Policies in the Nigeria, the STI, the Minister of State for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh has urged all stakeholders to be guided by the Science and Technology and Innovation (STI) ecosystem.

The Minister stated this at the opening ceremony of the South-East Zonal dialogue between government and stakeholders in the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) ecosystem for global competitiveness and productivity held in Enugu State.

The Minister said that the world is now driving on STI based economy. He pointed out that any financial policy that is not in line with the STI drive will surely fail.

The dialogue, according to the Minister was a key strategy for the full implementation of the Presidential Executive Order NO.5 which is aimed at placing Nigerian Service Providers, Farmers, Manufacturers, Youth, Women, and other National Stakeholders at the center of the Nigerian Economy.

He stated that the dialogue was key to the establishment and implementation of the Technology and Innovation Centres for Global Competitiveness and that the dialogue would further serve as an avenue for the Promotion of Technology Utilization and Strengthening of Technology Management and Information Systems.

He said as a result of this Executive Order NO.5, the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation was charged in section 5, with the responsibility to establish Technology and Innovation Centres in utilizing and strengthening the Technology Management capability and Information systems, within the respective geo-political zones to publicize and promote Nigeria’s drive towards productivity and global competitiveness at the zonal levels”

Chief Ikoh explained that the dialogue was aimed at establishing a framework for consultation, sharing experience, information, and practices as well as the creation of a conducive environment for interaction among Scientists, Researchers, and Inventors working on projects in different geopolitical zones of the country and internationally, adding that the Centre will also serve as a medium for the presentation and analysis of research findings and results for possible patenting and commercialization.

He expressed hope that Nigeria would achieve her economic diversification agenda in line with the theme of the Dialogue  “Achieving Nigeria’s Competitiveness and  Improved  Foreign Exchange Earnings through Science, Technology, and Innovation” as it was intended to enable stakeholders to produce an effective and efficient National  Strategy document to support the Monetary policies, Fiscal Policies as well as trade policies of government for a better and improved economy.

The dialogue and Presidential Executive Order NO.5 is to ensure favorable repositioning of Nigeria’s socio-economic status among comity of nations, and therefore he called on Nigerians to support the Implementation of Executive Order NO.5″

The National  Coordinator, Strategy Implementation Task Office for  Presidential  Executive Order NO.5, Engr. Ibiam Oguejiofor stressed the importance of  STI to the socio-economic development of the Country vis a vis transformation from a consumption to a production-based economy.

Engr. Ibiam stated that the sensitization across the six geopolitical zones was an opportunity for Nigeria to change its narrative by doing things differently to achieve greater results.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, Senator  Uche Ekwunife, represented by Enugu State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Sir Obi Kama urged the South Eastern States to key into this opportunity for global Competitiveness, productivity, and sustainability.