By HOSEA NYAMLONG
The Plateau State Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Cletus Shurkuk, has reiterated the Ministry’s readiness to drive new innovations and attract inventors that would position the state to compete favourably both locally and internationally.
Dr Shurkuk made this known during a press briefing to mark the World Science Day for Peace and Development, celebrated annually on November 10.
The event, themed, ‘Trust, Transformation, and Tomorrow: The Science We Need for 2050’, was held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Plateau State Council Secretariat Conference Hall, Jos.
He said the celebration reminded humanity of the power and benefits of scientific discoveries and the need to engage the public in discussions on emerging scientific issues, adding that it underscored the relevance of science in everyday life.
According to him, the annual observance—led by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)—highlighted the importance of science in fostering peace, promoting sustainable development and improving lives globally.
He recalled that the inaugural celebration took place on November 10, 2002, under UNESCO’s leadership, with participation from governments, research institutions, media and educational organisations.
Beyond providing technical solutions, he said, science offered unique opportunities for international cooperation.
THE NIGERIA STANDARD reports that the event provided a moment to reflect on the kind of science and the kind of relationship between science and society needed to meet the demands of the coming decades.
World Science Day for Peace and Development aligned with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting the role of science in building a better future.
The day also aims to ensure that citizens are informed of developments in science, strengthen public awareness of its role in peaceful and sustainable societies and promote collaboration in scientific research for societal benefit.
Dr Shurkuk stressed that science was central to addressing global challenges such as climate change, health crises and technological equity.
He said it remained essential to peace-building, offering practical, sustainable solutions to today’s complex issues.
He added that by responding to crises such as climate change, epidemics and resource shortages, science helped mitigate the root causes of conflicts, calling for national and international cooperation in shaping a peaceful, equitable, safer, smarter and sustainable future.
THE NIGERIA STANDARD gathered that this year’s theme aligned with the vision of Governor Barr Caleb Mutfwang, who is committed to promoting peace and development in Plateau State through science, technology and innovation, thereby advancing a smarter Plateau for socio-economic growth.
Similarly, the celebration also set the stage for the Plateau State Festival of Innovation, Science, and Technology, recently approved by the governor.
The festival will showcase selected innovations emerging from Plateau State, reflecting the governor’s determination to tell the Plateau story in a new light.
The fommissioner further revealed that the Ministry was engaging with the academia, the private sector and other stakeholders to ensure a better Plateau, adding that “science is a beautiful gift to humanity; we should not distort it.”
He disclosed that the state government was reviewing the science policy enacted in 2005 to incorporate modern-day technological innovations.
To mark this year’s World Science Day, the ministry outlined a series of activities, including lectures on the state’s advancement in science, panel discussions, exhibitions, quizzes, school visits and counselling sessions on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).