The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has called on African countries to look inward for a better and brighter economic continent.
President Buhari who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari said this at the maiden conference of the African Forum on Research and Innovation (FARI) yesterday in Abuja.
The President said that FARI is a great roadmap towards commitment to research and development which is necessary for diversification of socio-economic growth of African continent, through Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).
He emphasized that in line with the theme of the conference: ‘’Science, Technology and Innovation for a more Competitive ECOWAS,’’ FARI will proffer solutions to the challenges hindering the industrialization of Africa and West Africa in particular.
He further said that the new generation of active and productive talents is being discovered to contribute their quota in surmounting the challenges confronting the economic growth of the region, hence, the need to create FARI.
The President reiterated that the time to move forward and act accordingly is now, stressing that this can only be achieved through collaboration, development of human capacity, infrastructure, and technical skills among others in ECOWAS region.
According to President Buhari, half of the population of the West African region is 15 years old and above with an existing trait of unemployment.” We need to channel their energy and creativity in acquiring skills that confront the development of our region”, the president said.
To this end, Nigeria is committed to further strengthen collaboration with Science, Technology and Innovation experts as an integral part of her respective national development policies and plans.
Speaking, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. (Sen) Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora, said that the forum is initiated to improve public understanding of STI in the region.
The Minister further said that the forum will help in creating a regular framework between researchers, innovators as well as commercializing research results.
Earlier, the President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray said that STI is the driving force for structural transformation of economy and factors of integration into the world economy.
Speaking, the Director, UNESCO, Dakar Regional Office and OIC Abuja Regional Office, Dr. Dimitri Sanga, said that the clock is ticking for all countries including those in Africa to reach their Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. He stated that countries future economic growth depends on their timely transition to digital and green society driven by STI.
