By Efese Osayekemwen Jim
The Ministry of Digital Economy, Science and Technology has held a two-day Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) exhibition, with the theme, ‘Science, Technology and Innovation: A Road Map to National Productivity’, at the Sir Victor Uwafor Creative Hub, in Benin City.
Declaring the exhibition open, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Engr. Godwins Omobayo, remarked that under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, the state has transformed from a civil service state to a digital super power because of the sustained investment in public digital infrastructure, while advising youths in the state to take advantage of the technological advances.
On his part, the Commissioner for Digital Economy, Science, and Technology, Hon. Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor, described Science as the bedrock of Engineering, asserting that Science is at the core of social and societal development, while acknowledging the place of technology as a vital tool which leverages science to create solutions to problems.
Ifaluyi-Isibor stated that Edo State is at the forefront of digital transformation and governance in Nigeria, being the sole state in the country that has adopted e-governance 100 percent, noting that Edo is the only sub-national in Nigeria with a Tier 3 Digital Center and the only one in the country that has laid over 2,000km of fiber optic cables across the State.
“Edo State will be celebrating one-year Anniversary of going paperless by September this year and we are the only state with such credentials. We haven’t stopped there. In a week’s time, Edo State will launch a program called EdoNet, with 45 locations of free public Wi-Fi across the State.
“This exhibition will open your minds to inventions and innovations and let you know that the wealthy leaders of tomorrow are the inventors of today. This is why this event is done to train our minds to new ideas, as any society that will move forward must be a society that is producing and creating solutions”, Ifaluyi-Isibor said.
The Keynote Speaker, Prof. Oshomoh Emmanuel, Head of the Science and Laboratory Technology Department, University of Benin, in his lecture, emphasized the crucial role of Science and Technology in the development of any nation.
“As a developing country, Nigeria has recognized the importance of Science, Technology, and Innovation in driving economic growth, improving living standards, and addressing societal challenges. Over the years, the Nigerian government has made efforts to promote and invest in scientific research, technological innovations, and education, to harness the potential benefits of Science and Technology”, Oshomoh explained.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ms. Yuwa Naps, represented by the Director of Science and Technology Promotion, Engr. Jonathan Upkebor, described the theme for this year’s event as all-inclusive and timely in the face of growing economic challenges in the Country.
Appreciating the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration on behalf of the exhibitors, Mr. Dan Igbe, an inventor of a peanut rolling machine, acknowledged the Governor’s developmental strides in the digital space, while suing for further collaboration and partnership between government and inventors.
Highpoint of the exhibition was the closing tour by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who was represented by the Commissioner of Public Security and Safety, Hon. Uwagbale Kingsley.
