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Tag: Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu

  • FG to tackle food security via technology

    FG to tackle food security via technology

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has re-stated the commitment of the Federal Government to utilise the application of Science, Technology and Innovations (STI) to increase food production.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, signed by Mr Taye Akinyemi , the Deputy Director of Press in the ministry.

    Onu was speaking when the organising committee of Africa Technology and Agribusiness Forum 2016 paid him a courtesy visit.

    Onu pledged to support the committee to ensure that Nigeria had a successful hosting of the Forum.

    He said STI could help to harness available raw materials in the country to curtail insecurity, unemployment and poverty.

    “We are working closely with Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to ensure that we start processing food crops by making sure food available is all year round.

    “We are also looking inward to start using local raw materials,” he said.

    The minister noted that science and technology were very crucial to ensuring that farming became a business.

    According to him, technology is needed to determine space, land preparation and management.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, Mr. Samuel Olaniyan, said that the visit was to seek support from the ministry on the hosting of the 13th edition of Africa Agribusiness Forum tagged “Agribusiness 2016” in Nigeria.

    According to him, the forum is an international meeting that will involve agricultural sector, investors, producers, financiers, agro- services providers, researchers, innovators, technologists and policy makers, among others.

    He said hosting of the forum in Nigeria would attract huge investment into agricultural enterprise into the country.

    “It will strengthen the nation’s import substitution programme making the economy less-dependent on imports and turning Nigeria into a major exporter of processed agricultural products,”he said.

    Olaniyan said that the forum would be anchored by the European Marketing Research Council (EMRC) of Brussels, Belgium in partnership with the hosting government and international institutions as co-sponsors.

  • Minister advocates sustainable energy supply

    Minister advocates sustainable energy supply

    Minister of Science and Technoogy, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has advocated for a secured, equitable and environmentally sustainable energy supply if Nigeria must fulfil the vision 2020:20.

    The Minister made this submission in Abuja during a two-day technical validation workshop on Sustainable Energy For All (SE4ALL).

    He said the Federal Government committed to the acceleration of the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the country through the National Energy Policy, the Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP) and the vision 2020-20.

    He stated that this can be achieved through the transformation of the nation’s economy from one based mainly on fossil fuel to a low carbon economy based around renewable energy and energy efficiency.

    The Minister said though sustainable energy for all initiative which was a global agenda was launched in 2011 during the United Nations General Assembly, it was important for all relevant stakeholders to deliberate in making it an action-plan for the realisation of sustainable energy for all in the country.

    The Representative of the United Nations Development Program UNDP Country Director Mr. Muyiwa Odele pointed out that the SE4ALL initiative, will go a long way to complement government’s efforts at increasing Nigeria’s access to electricity and other modern energy services for economic growth.

    Mr. Odele said it has become imperative to meet the energy need of many Nigerians both in the rural and urban areas, through the promotion of renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency.

    According to him “the UNDP has been working tirelessly in partnership with the Energy Commission of Nigeria ECN and support from the Global Environment Facility GEF to put in place minimum energy performance standards for lighting and refrigerators for regulation of Sub-saharan products”.

    “And also the establishment of standard energy efficiency testing laboratories for quality standardization for the Standard Organisation of Nigeria SON”.

    Mr. Odele announced that the UNDP and ECN energy efficiency project which is parts of its contribution to ongoing national efforts to rebuild the Northeast which was destroyed by the terrorist group Boko Haram, in off-grid communities has been extended to ten more communities in Adamawa state.

    The Director of the Energy Commission of Nigeria Professor Eli Jidere Bala said the agency has been working with other stakeholders since 2012, when the sustainable energy for all initiative was launched in Nigeria to domesticate the United Nations initiative in the country.

    Professor Bala explained that through series of workshops and meetings held since 2012, it was time for the preparation of country-specific action agenda across government ministries and departments, to bridge the gaps earlier identified in line with international template.

     

     

     

     

     

  • FG to close all technology gaps in Nigeria – Onu

    FG to close all technology gaps in Nigeria – Onu

    The Federal Government says it will close all technology gaps to advance national development.

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, said this when he featured on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja.

    He said all agencies under the ministry would be fully engaged, particularly the National Office for Technology and Acquisition Promotion (NOTAP), to fast-track development in the country.

    “NOTAP is working very hard; we have the national technology acquisition promotion initiative.

    “We are going to use that initiative to close technology gaps that we have in the country.

    “There is a lot of technology gaps almost in all sectors.

    “So, NOTAP we help us .We have a baskets of incentives, some will come from NOTAP, some will come from ministry of trade investment and some will come from ministry of finance.

    “ These are incentives that will promise the company that come into Nigeria with the aim not only to make profits but also to transfer to allow Nigerians to acquire the technology.“

    Onu said the Federal Government, represented by the ministry, had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NASCO Foods Limited, Jos, for commercial production of high nutrient density biscuits for the National School Feeding Programme.

    According to him, the MoU indicates the Federal Government’s commitment in keeping to its campaign promise to provide quality education in the country.

    “The MoU was meant to provide a strategic guide for the collaboration between the Ministry, Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Oshodi, and Nasco Foods Limited, Jos, on commercial production of High Nutrient Density Biscuits.

    “The initiative was an innovation of FIIRO for the National School Feeding Programme in the spirit of Public-Private Partnership being promoted by the government.

    “This is based on the realisation that an institute on its own cannot make the much desired impact without collaborating with relevant organisations.

    “With this collaboration, jobs and wealth will be created, while the national GDP will be enhanced through the productive sector of the economy, “ the minister said.

    Onu stated that the choice of Nasco Foods Limited in the partnership is based on the company’s integrity and experience in the industry.

    The minister said the Project Development Institute (PRODA) had a crucial role to play in innovation, adding that the ministry had given the institute the mandate to produce pencils.

    “We consume pencils in millions considering primary school pupils, artists, and architects that use pencil and all the component parts of pencil are in Nigeria.

    “What we want is to use our own raw materials to produce all the component parts for making the pencil, because that is how we can create the jobs.

    “If you bring in the machines and the parts from outside, you are not creating jobs.

    “If you have to process, add value to our own locally available raw materials, then you will create a large pool of jobs.

    “After that is done, we will now look at those machines to redesign and produce in Nigeria.

    “That (way) again, we create a new set of jobs,’’ Onu said.

    He affirmed that technology was the way to go for Nigeria if it was to diversify its source of revenue and the economy.

    The minister expressed optimism that the success of the projects would encourage Nigerian entrepreneurs to stay and do business in the country.

  • Nigeria will soon stop food importation – Minister

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, on Friday assured that President Muhammadu Buhari was desirous of stopping all forms of food importation into the country.

    Onu, who spoke in Bayelsa State when he paid a familiarization visit to the Biotechnology and Resource Development Centre (BIODEC), Odi, said the President strongly believed that Nigeria has the capacity to attain self-sufficiency in food production.

    He said: “One legacy President Muhammadu Buhari would want to be remembered for is to ensure that the Nigerian State produces enough food resources to feed herself without depending on other nations for food security.

    “President Buhari strongly believes that if a country like China with a population of over 1.4 billion people can provide food security for her citizens through mechanized farming, Nigeria with less than 200 million people could do same.”

    Onu toured the centre in company of the Director-General of the Biotechnology Development Agency (BDA), Prof. Lucy Ogbadu and Director of BIODEC, Odi who is also the Coordinating Director, NABDA, Mr. Josiah Habu

    The minister later inaugurated three completed projects at the centre, including an administrative block, information technology block and a training hall.

    Onu said with science and technology, Nigeria has the capacity to produce enough food for consumption and export.

  • Onu visits families of dead APC members

    Onu visits families of dead APC members

    Minister of Science and Technology Dr Ogbonnaya Onu yesterday visited families of the 10 All Progressives Congress (APC) members who died in an accident.

    The party faithful were travelling to Enugu State on December 11 to witness the Court of Appeal judgment on the governorship election when the Sienna bus they were travelling in collided with an articulated vehicle at the Ezzamgbo axis of the Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway.

    Onu said the death was a loss, not only to the families, but to the party, state and the nation because it lost a crop of young men and women in their prime.

    He urged the families to bear the losses with fortitude and promised that the party will assist them in anyway necessary to assuage their losses.

    The APC chief noted that the APC is the only party interested in the welfare of the poorest members of the population as highlighted in the 2016 budget presented by President Muhamadu Buhari.

    He expressed optimism that when the budget is passed, a new lease of life will be injected into the economy and lives of the ordinary Nigerian will change for the better.

    The minister was accompanied by a Board of Trustee member, Chief Austine Edeze, State Chairman Nwachukwu Eze, former Commissioner for Works Dr Paul Okorie, and others.

    Responding on behalf of the families, Paschal Nwelem, who lost his sister, said the visit showed that the party takes the interest and welfare of its members seriously.

    He however lamented the politicisation of the death by the Ebonyi State Government, which he accused of organising protests and using other negative actions to whip up unnecessary sentiments.

    Nwelem said such actions were causing more grieve to the families of the dead.

    “They have told lies against our dead and even we the living. They have made announcements claiming that we are requesting for assistance to bury our relatives. Such lies are aggravating our sorrow. The action is wicked and even more painful coming from a government that is supposed to be sensitive to the plight of its citizens. How can you order people who are in mourning to come to the Government House and register to receive assistance,” he lamented.

  • Highlights of ministerial screening

    Highlights of ministerial screening

    A ministerial nominee from Akwa Ibom, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, sets the ball rolling.

    He has been asked to take a “bow and go.”

    The next nominee to enter the podium is a former governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    Rights activist, Shehu Sanni, asked the ex-governor if truly he escaped through an unconventional border during the late Gen. Sani Abacha era.

    Fayemi said, “I did not borrow to pay salaries, but borrowed to fund capital projects for Ekiti.”

    He has also been asked to take a ” bow and go.”

    The next nominee to face the senators is Chief Audu Ogbeh.

    The ex-National chairman of the PDP has been asked to take a ” bow and go.”

    The next ministerial nominee is Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.

    He is acknowledging cheers from the senators.

    He has been asked to take a ” bow and go.”

    The next ministerial nominee is Dr. Osagie Ehanire from Edo State.

    He will take questions from senators.

    The nominee has been asked to take a ” bow and go.”

    In all five ministerial nominees have been cleared by the Senate.

    The sixth nominee, Lt. Gen.Abdulrahman Danbazzau (rtd), takes to the podium to take questions from senators.

    Lt. Gen. Danbazzau has been asked to take a ” bow and go.”

    The APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is the next nominee to face the senators.

    He took six bows before the lawmakers – three for Saraki and three for the Senators.

    Mohammed has been asked to take a ” bow and go.”

    Seven ministerial nominees have now been cleared by the Senators. We have three more to go.

    A female ministerial nominee, Amina Mohammed, is now addressing the Senators.

    After her address, she will take questions from the lawmakers.

    After taking few questions, she has been asked to take a ” bow and go.”

    The ninth nominee, Suleiman Adamu, is now addressing the senators.

    Adamu has been asked to take a ” bow and go.”

    The last nominee for today, Ibrahim Jubril Adamu, is introducing himself to the senators.

    He is a ministerial nominee from Jigawa State.

    He has also been asked to take a ” bow and go.”

    Adamu’s clearance by the Senate ended the proceedings for today.

    All the 10 ministerial nominees that faced the senators on Tuesday have been confirmed as ministers.

    The exercise will continue on Wednesday with the screening of second set of nominees.

  • Stop scoring cheap political points with my name – Onu

    Stop scoring cheap political points with my name – Onu

    Former governor of Abia state and one of the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu asked those using his name to score cheap political points to desist from doing so, saying Nigerians must continue to stand firm, resolute and work together in the overall interest of the country.

    Onu who was reacting to reports in the social media quoting him as saying that Buhari had informed him of his intended actions and why he will not be chosen as the SGF prior to the announcement of the appointment of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Chief of Staff.

    He was also quoted as saying that his house became a Mecca as people seeking favours besieged his house in anticipation of being appointed as the SGF, with the same people deserting his house when he was not given the appointment.

    A statement signed by his former Chief of Staff, Sunny Onyeukwu and made available to The Nation in Abuja reads; “The attention of His Excellency, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has been drawn to a seeming orchestrated campaign apparently originating from the social media to smear his hard earned reputation.

    “On Saturday, August 28, this year, a Facebook broadcast titled “SGF; OGBONNAYA ONU AND VAINGLORIOUS NIGERIANS” allegedly at the instance of one Ajayi Temitope was circulated in the social media without his knowledge and consent.

    “In it, Dr. Onu was falsely and perhaps maliciously credited as having told an unnamed friend of Mr. Ajayi Temitope in a 35minute telephone conversation that prior to the announcement of appointments into the offices of Chief of Staff to the President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, among other positions, he (Dr.) Onu was informed by Mr. President of his intended action and why he would not be chosen for appointment as SGF.

    “The Facebook broadcast further falsely credited Dr. Onu with expressing regrets about how his Abuja residence had become “a mecca of sorts” for those seeking patronage from him in anticipation of his appointment as SGF and lamented that soon after the announcement was made without his being appointed to serve in the exalted capacity, his residence became deserted.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, it has become important to state in strong terms that Dr. Onu never expressed the views credited to him in the Facebook broadcast as no such conversation ever took place between him and our respected Mr. President.

    “He could not have, therefore, communicated a non-existent conversation to another person, more so an unnamed individual on telephone. Accordingly, it is false, cheap and utterly in bad faith. Already, Dr. Onu has personally issued a rebuttal on the matter which has been circulated in the social media in a Press Statement dated August 30, 2015.

    “However, it has become necessary to issue the foregoing clarification in view of ongoing efforts in some sections of the print and electronic media to further allude to the same phony Facebook broadcast without verifying the proof of its authenticity.

    “Needless to say that such is capable of misleading the general public and by implication, injure the well-known integrity and honour which Dr. Onu holds sacred and guards jealously.  At this juncture, it is important to recall that soon after the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari on May 29, 2015; the social media was awash with the purported “news” of his “appointment” as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    “Specifically on May 31, this year, a spurious Twitter account surfaced in his name where he was quoted as having “thanked God and the good people of Nigeria for this opportunity to serve”. This was despite the fact that Dr. Onu does not own or operate a personal Twitter account, thus prompting him to disclaim the broadcast in a Statement dated June 1, 2015, which was circulated in the social media.

    “As one of the founding National Leaders of All Progressives Congress, APC, it is his conviction that nothing should be done to injure the rights of citizens to free speech, especially in a democracy.

    “However, in the exercise of such rights, care and respect must be observed to ensure that it is done within the ambit of the law, guided by respect for the truth, good conscience and sincerity of purpose.

    “It is hoped that in all circumstances, more so in a democracy, the truth should not be twisted to serve pre-determined ends nor should the rights of individuals be muzzled to score cheap political points.

    “Finally, Dr. Onu reaffirms his faith in our democracy as the immutable vehicle of popular choice for a new Nigeria, where though tribe and tongue may differ, as brothers and sisters, united in the pursuit of a common destiny, we must continue to stand firm, resolute and together.”