FG Rewards Outstanding Researchers And Innovators At Techno Expo 2019 (Pictures)

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The Federal Government has given out the sum of Six Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N6.750m) to Researchers, Innovators and Inventors who distinguished themselves at the just concluded Technology and Innovation Expo 2010 in Enugu.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the Technology and Innovation Expo 2019.

According to Dr Onu, “I believe that this will encourage others to work harder and help us in building a new science and technology culture in our dear nation. The assessment was carried out professionally and in a very transparent manner with the aim of getting the best from the science, technology and innovation sector”.

The awards were in four categories, Research Institutes, Tertiary Education Institutes, Technology Entrepreneurs and Junior Engineers, Technologist and Scientists (JETS). Each category was rewarded N1m, N750,000 and N500,000 respectively.

In the tertiary institution category, the University of Nigeria Nsuka, the University of Uyo and Usman Dan Fodio University came first, second and third respectively while Government Science and technical College Garki, Area 3 Abuja, Excellence International School, Jalingo, Taraba State and St. Peters Unity School Ondo State came first second and third  respectively in the (JETS) category.

National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) came first and second position respectively while National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and Nigerian Building and Roads Research Institute (NIBRRI) shared the third position in the Research Institute category.

In the Technology Entrepreneurs Category, Clarks Pharmaceutical Company, Bravura Electric Products and Peace Petroleum Nig. Ltd came first, second and third respectively.

The Minister of Science and Technology called on Nigerians to utilize the greatest gift given mankind by Almighty God, our human brain, to come up with ideas that will help solve our national problems.

“I want to assure that you that in this journey to build a bright future for our dear nation, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, will not let you down. All Nigerians, working together, will utilize the power of science, technology and innovation as the key to unlock the door of Nigeria’s greatness” he said

Dr Onu added that “Nigeria is too rich a nation for Nigerians to be poor. Nigerians are too resourceful, too enterprising and too creative to lack technological knowledge. The task before us is to use science and technology to create jobs, create wealth and fight poverty, defeat illiteracy, eliminate hunger and development in our country “.

A total of 159 Exhibitors took part at the Expo while 397 projects were exhibited.