The federal government through the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology said the full implementation of Presidential Executive Order No. 5 to boost the economy, create jobs, reduce poverty, and usher in a brighter future for Nigeria.
The Presidential Executive Order No. 5 is a policy designed to drive innovation, promote science and technology, and catalyse the country‘s economic diversification.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji who stated this at press conference in Abuja at the weekend, also pledged the commitment of the Federal Government to full implementation of the Order.
Nnaji said the ministry will in the coming weeks, release a more detailed road map and work plan to achieve the objectives of Executive Order while creating wealth for millions of Nigerians.
The minister said the other aims of the Order such as technological advancement, promotion of domestic and foreign investments, reduce dependence on foreign goods and the strain on the Naira, facilitating massive job creation and industrial growth align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He said Tinubu‘s administration is committed to solving Nigeria‘s problems through innovation and technology by creating a conducive environment to nurture the innovative spirit of youth and entrepreneurs in the country.
Nnaji despite assets Nigeria has, youth unemployment remains a massive challenge as the country constantly export domestic jobs by importing many products it could competitively produce locally.
„Presidential Executive Order No. 5 addresses these challenges by providing support for Made-in-Nigeria Goods and Services (MNGS), the development of homegrown capability, and the capacity to maintain, redesign, reproduce, rededicate, and duplicate any infrastructure built in Nigeria for self-reliance and development.
„The order also seeks to closely monitor and promote the capacity of Nigerian professionals and contractors in Science, Engineering, and Technological programs to compete with their counterparts globally.
„The Strategic Implementation Task Office of the Executive Order (SITOPEo. 5) will operationalise these objectives with its Presidential Monitoring and Evaluation Council. The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) also maintains a database of Nigerian professionals for project execution,“ he stated.
Nnaji said, as part of the broader implementation strategy, various policies and programmes are in place at advanced stages of finalisation such as the National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development; National Leather and Leather Products Policy (NLLPP) as well as Clean Technology Programme.
Others are; National Policy on Welding and Related Fields,
Methanol Fuel Technology Programme, Technology and Innovation Centres, Promotion of Locally Invented Digital Addressing Technology and the Nigeria National Innovation Commercialisation Programme
Manufacturing Nigeria.
Rack Centre To Train Artisans From Host Communities
West Africa carrier and cloud neutral data centre, Rack Centre, has launched a sustainability initiative to train artisans from its host community to be involved in the building of LGS2, a new best-in-class data centre in Lagos, Nigeria.
Disclosing this in a statement, the company said that the new build will enhance and broaden the capacity of the company to serve more clients in Nigeria.
“We are committed to supporting the sustainable development of our host communities,” said Ezekiel Egboye, Chief Operating Officer of Rack Centre.
He further stated that, “This initiative is a great way to provide local artisans with the skills and training they need to work on the construction of LGS2, while also creating jobs and opportunities for community members. It will also provide artisans with the opportunity to gain valuable experience working on a major construction project, thereby making them more competitive in the job market and increasing their earning potential.”
The statement further states that the empowerment initiative, which is in line with Rack Centre’s commitment to sustainable development and social impact, will provide artisans with the skills and training they need to work on the construction of LGS2 and empower them to be involved in world-class construction projects.
