Inventors receive FG’s cash awards as 2020 EXPO ends

By Usman Shuaibu

Innovators and inventors at the 2020 EXPO that came 1st, 2nd and 3rd in different competitions will be rewarded with 1 Million naira, N750,000 and N500,000 respectively. This will help to build a Science and Technology culture in the country.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the week-long STI EXPO 2020, in Abuja at the weekend.
According to a statement from the ministry, Dr. Onu said he was delighted at the turn-up of participants, especially from the informal sector, who made significant contributions to the development of Science, Technology and Innovation. He added, “Research is not only to be done in the laboratories. Your room and even your kitchen can to some extent serve as laboratories”.
Dr. Onu commended President Buhari, for awarding scholarships up to Ph.D. to winners of 774 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award and urged State and Local governments to continue encouraging their students who emerged winners at the competition.
According to Dr. Onu, Nigerians are some of the most intelligent people in the world, and expressed confidence that some of the innovations displayed at the EXPO will soon be commercialized to help the country realize its economic diversification agenda.
In keeping with the plan to move the STI EXPO to various geo-political regions of the country, Dr. Onu announced that the next edition will be held at the South-West geo-political region of the country, while the venue will be announced shortly.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Bello Umar said the STI EXPO, will continue to be a meeting point for Innovators, Inventors and Investors and help promote investment opportunities in STI.
He used the opportunity to thank all stakeholders in STI and all who graced the occasion.
Earlier, in his goodwill message, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. A. Sule, urged the nation to take advantage of the global crisis to develop capacity in STI.
He further thanked the Ministry for establishing a Technology Incubation Centre in his state and invited willing investors to invest in his state.