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Tag: Ogbonnaya Onu

  • We’ve lost a dedicated public servant, true Nigerian, Wamako mourns Ogbonnaya Onu

    We’ve lost a dedicated public servant, true Nigerian, Wamako mourns Ogbonnaya Onu

    Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamako has described as a huge loss for Abia, Ebonyi states and Nigeria, the death of former governor and ex-minister of science and technology, Ogbonnaya Onu.

    The lawmaker said on Friday, April 12, that he was shocked by the news of Ogbonnaya’s death, describing the deceased a consumate politician and a dedicated democrat.

    Read Also: Akpabio mourns ex-Minister Ogbonnaya Onu

    Wamakko opined that the late ex-minister would be remembered for “his uprightness, passion for a united  Nigeria and remains a guide for the nation’s intelligentsia.”

    The former Sokoto governor described the late Ogoonnaya “as an accomplished scholar, an engineer of respectable standing, who stood for progressivism and good governance.”

    He explained that the late Ogbonnaya’s  legacy  of illustrious political career “leaves a huge gap on Nigeria’s political firmament” adding that “as a true patriot, his exemplary private and public life stood him out as a dedicated servant of Nigeria.”

  • Akpabio mourns ex-Minister Ogbonnaya Onu

    Akpabio mourns ex-Minister Ogbonnaya Onu

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio has condoled with the family of a former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu.

    Onu, who died at 73 in Abuja on Thursday served as Minister under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration from 2015 to 2022.

    A statement from Akpabio’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh described the late Onu as “A perfect gentleman who will be sorely missed for his wisdom, mature composure, zest for excellence and proven integrity.”

    He said Onu was known for coming first in every endeavour he engaged in and played politics without bitterness in all his life.

    Read Also: Akpabio to constituents: relax, things are getting better

    “I am deeply saddened by the death of Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, a man with first in all his life endeavours. He came first in his secondary school (WAEC), he was the overall best student in the high school (HSc) and made a first class in chemical engineering at the University of Lagos, coming top of his class.

    “Onu was also the first civilian governor of Abia state and was the first presidential candidate of the All People’s Party (APP) before stepping down for Chief Olu Falae.

    “He sacrificed in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and contributed immensely to the successes recorded by the party. He played a significant role in the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. He was an accomplished family man, politician, academic and leader in all ramifications.

    “On behalf of my family, the Senate and the National Assembly, I wish him eternal rest with the Lord. and may God grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

  • Technologies for start-ups coming

    THE Federal Government  said  it will be creating new technologies that will lead to new start-ups.

    It said it is part of its plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next ten years.  The new start-ups will lead to new enterprises and entrepreneurs in the country, who will start as micro businesses and eventually grow.

    Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu  who spoke yesterday in Abuja, said this is how wealth is created the world over, adding that the move will  grow the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and create jobs.

    Read Also: Agba, Keyamo, Onu, Ehanire, Agba take oaths

    He spoke  when he and the Minister of state of the ministry Alh. Mohammed Abdullahi, met with Supervising Directors of the Ministry and DG/CEO of the agencies to roll out a new policy thrust for the Ministry.

    He the president intends to continue with the three areas that he had focused on during his first four years which is to grow the economy, security and fight corruption.

    He said: “The three areas that the President worked on in the first four years are the areas we will continue to concentrate on which is to ensure their is security, that we will continue to grow our economy and ensure that all those that want to work in the country are given the opportunity.”

  • Science and Technology budget estimates ‘ready in two weeks’

    MINISTER of Science and Technology Dr Ogbonnaya Onu have urged staff of his ministry to ensure they make the budget estimates ready in the next two weeks.

    He said this would make for a hitch-free budget defence before the National Assembly and in line with the Presidential directives to return the budget to January-December fiscal year.

    He also said the new policy framework in the Ministry would be in line with the Presidential directives of diversifying the economy, grow the economy, and fight corruption and insecurity.

    Dr. Onu spoke yesterday in Abuja during a welcome address to staff of the ministry. Head press and public relations of the ministry AbdulGaniyu Aminu stated this in a statement.

    The statement reads: “The Minister of science and Technology Dr.Ognonnaya Onu says the 2020 budget of the Ministry would be ready by September in line with Presidential directives to return the budget to January-December fiscal year meeting.

    “Onu also said that the new policy framework in the Ministry would be in line with the Presidential directives of diversifying the economy, grow the economy, and fight corruption and insecurity.

    Read Also: Agba, Keyamo, Onu, Ehanire, Agba take oaths

    “In view of this, the Minister said his Ministry will endeavour to get its budget estimates ready so as to have a hitch free budget defence before the National Assembly.

    “He further stressed that the budget for the Ministry and Agencies should be ready before two weeks. “It is the most important priority for now” he added.

    “The function of the Ministry and its Agencies he added would be streamlined so as to avoid over-lap of duties

    “Onu also stressed that he will work harmoniously with the Minister of state in order to achieve a good result for the best interest of the country.

    “The Minister charged the management to brace up for more work and demanded for their support and cooperation to take the Ministry to greater height.

    “Dr.Onu commended the Permanent Secretary, Mr Bitrus Bako, Directors of the Ministry and DGS of the Agencies for handling the affairs of the Ministry.

    “Earlier, The Permanent Secretary Mr.Bitrus Bako said the inauguration of the cabinet is special for the Ministry because for a very long time the Ministry has not had a Minister of state.”

    Minister for Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire and Minister of State for Health Dr. Adeleke Olorunbe assumed office yesterday shortly after their inauguration by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Ehanire said the rivalry among health professionals would be tackled. The ministry, he said, will execute the health programme of the president, which, according to him, is to improve quality of health care in the country.

    He said he would do everything possible to expand the Universal Health Coverage in the country. The minister said: “Health care is a team event. It is not a solo event so everybody is important in the system. So we need to get that. Then of course there are some what I call irreducible minimum that we need to just address in our health institutions for example we will be looking at water supply. How can you have health institution when you cannot guarantee water supply on a regular and continual basis. We are looking at the issue of energy. The issue of stable power is important in any health institution.

    “You must also appreciate the fact that it is not all the time you just throw money at challenges. You must look at changing certain things and then we can still achieve result “Then of course we need to work with other agencies and ministries. Water supply is key. You see one of the things that we were thought in medical school is that common things occur commonly, you talk of cholera, you talk of diarrhoea Diseases, they usual come from poor water supply. So if we can get ministry of water supply to assist. So these are some of the issues.”

  • Japan seeks Nigeria’s partnership for economic summit

    Japan is seeking Federal Government’s partnership to organise the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) scheduled for August this year.

    The special envoy of the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr Shunsuke Takei said Nigeria can lead the discussion and bring high level participants from government and the private sector including President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Mr Takei added that seventh TICAD is not only for Japan and Nigeria but the entire Africa to discuss economic and development agenda.

    Speaking on Thursday in Abuja when he paid a courtesy visit to the home of the former Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, he said the economic relationship between Nigeria and Japan has been steadily developing.

    Read Also: Nigeria sets record in Japan

    He said: “I was appointed to attend the Nigerian Democracy Day celebration by the Prime Minister and it was very interesting.’’

    “Yesterday, I was briefed by Japanese and Nigerian businesses communities, I am so glad that the economic relationship between Nigeria and Japan has been developing steadily. I understand that since 2015, the minister has been working so hard to contribute to science and technology, he visited Japan in 2017 to attend the Science and Technology in Society Forum and I sincerely seek your cooperation as a critical political leader in the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    “The 7th TIC on TICAD seven will be held on the 28th-30th this year in Japan. TICAD seven is not only for Japan and Nigeria but the entire Africa to discuss economic and development agenda, the minister attended TICAD six in Nairobi and we highly expect that as a great power in Africa, Nigeria can lead the discussion and bring high level participants from government and private sector including President Buhari and in terms of that, I sincerely need your cooperation.”

    Dr. Onu informed Mr Takei that President Buhari is interested in working with friendly nations like Japan.

    He said: “Nigeria is very willing and happy to have economic relationship with all countries but the relationship it has with Japan is very unique. Here in Nigeria, we are working very hard to remove our economy from its dependency on resource to that of innovation and technology.”

  • Osinbajo considers local intel tech for national digital scheme

    Vice-President Yemi Osibanjo has directed that local intelligence technology, GridCodes, be considered for national digital scheme.

    The digital addressing technology leverages Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to provide around the country even if such places have no physical addresses.

    Former Minister of Science and Technology Dr Ogbonnaya Onu said Nigeria could effectively improve governance, boost commerce, fight crime and better manage intelligence through the adoption of GridCodes, a technology for digital addressing which was designed and founded by a Nigerian.

    Read Also: Nigeria set for breakthrough, says Osinbajo

    The former minister said Prof Osinbajo, the chairman of the Nigerian Digital Addressing Council, directed the council to review GridCodes technology for national adoption by the Federal Government.

    In a statement by the Managing Director of Gridcodes, Squadron Leader Adefola Amoo (retd), Dr. Onu stated this while inaugurating the Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee on the adoption of GridCodes.

    He said: “GridCodes is a technology for digital addressing invented and globally patented by Squadron Leader Adefola Amoo (rtd).“

  • FG will not abandon ongoing projects -Minister

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu on Monday in Indiogbu community in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi said the Federal Government would complete all ongoing projects.

    The minister gave the assurance during a facility visit to the N500 million Technology Incubation Centre (TIC) located at Indiogbu.

    Onu, addressing a crowd of jubilant supporters who trooped out to welcome him and his encourage, assured that the project would bring immense development and create job opportunities in the area.

    He assured that work on the project would continue even after the end of the first tenure of the present administration.

    “People will be saying that the first term of the President Muhammadu Buhari will soon be coming to an end and that the project will stop and all that; but it doesn’t really matter because we don’t operate that way.

    “All the projects that I met as a minister, I have been completing them; so, it doesn’t really matter because whoever becomes the next minister of Science and Technology will complete the projects we started.

    “Besides, the Director-General of the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), Dr Mohammed Jibrin’s second term has just been renewed and so, he will ensure that the project is completed and inaugurated.

    “Again, fund for the completion of the project was captured in the 2019 budget,” Onu said.

    He said that the centre which is situated in a 15-acre of land would be equipped with 36 technology incubation units, six laboratories, and business centre among others.

    He commended, Chief Austine Edeze, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ebonyi and member of the community for mobilizing the people to donate land for the project.

    The minister also inspected work at the National Research Institue for Chemical Technology (NRICT), located in Amasiri, Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

    He also assured residents of the community of commitment of the Buhari led administration to complete the ongoing project in the area.

    He said that the institue would create job opportunities and fast track development in the community.

    He noted that the institue are only two in the South-East geopolitical zone, stressing that chemical technology was very important in scientific research and development.

    “All forms of chemical technology is handled by the institue and no nation can survive without chemical technology because any other technology will depend on chemicals.

    “Whether you are going to space, whether you are going to the oceans, whatever thing you are doing, be it medicine or infrastructure development there must be elements of chemicals.

    “So, you can see how important the research institute is and for the South-East, they are only two stations.

    “So, we want to assure you that there is commitment to get the project completed and inaugurated very soon,” he added.

    The minister also performed groundbreaking and foundation laying ceremony of the National Institute for Trypanomiasis Research (NITR), South-East liaison office located at Orra in Oziza Afikpo North.(NAN)

  • We are looking for how to create more jobs – Minister

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has said that the Federal Government is looking for how to create more jobs for teaming unemployed Nigerians.

    He said that the government is doing everything possible to ensure that every Nigerian is proud of the country by providing creative ways to create wealth and reduce poverty.

    Onu said this on Wednesday in Abuja, at the Commissioning of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) Headquarters phase II and Raw Materials Resource Information Centre.

    He said, “What we are looking at is the future of our country, we want a Nigeria where every Nigerian will be very proud. This resource centre is very important to the growth of this nation and represents the future of our nation. The centre is almost like a museum in the sense that it is going to display in one spot, all the raw materials we have in the nation, their location, reserve and a lot more.

    Read Also: Minister to monarchs: work with government

    “Investment opportunities will be made here; a business man or woman can see this raw material and take a decision in investing in using a specific raw material. That is what the resource centre will do for us. This is critical because it is going to help in the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises. It is important to our diversification agenda because we are looking for how we can create more jobs and generate wealth for our people.

    “This micro, small and medium enterprises will start small but have the capacity to grow into large enterprises, that is how to grow the economy, create wealth and fight poverty.

    “The building was put up by an indigenous construction company in line with the executive order no5, which wants to make sure we put Nigerian professionals at the centre of economic activities in our country.”

  • Japan congratulates Buhari on reelection

    The Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Mr Yutaka Kikuta has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for his reelection on behalf of his country.

    Kikuta said that Japan intends to continue to work with and assist Nigeria anyway they can, to support the country in its growth.

    The Ambassador, who pointed out the area of science and technology as a great way if collaboration, said this on Thursday in Abuja when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.

    He said: “The area of Science and Technology is the area Nigeria can explore further possibility of cooperation.

    “I will like to congratulate the reelection of President Buhari for second term of presidency and Japan is determined to continue to support the government anyway possible.”

    Onu stressed the need for Japan and Nigeria to boost their diplomatic relations, especially in Science and Technology.

    He said Japan could be of great help to Nigeria in her quest to be a developed nation.

    His words: “Nigeria needs to pay a lot of attention to the key role Science, Technology and Innovation plays in national development, since our population is growing at a rate of 3.2%, by the turn of the century our population will be reaching almost a billion people.”

  • Why Nigeria cannot eradicate malaria now, by Onu

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has declared Nigeria can only eradicate malaria completely in the future but not right now.

    He said although Nigeria possesses the bio and nuclear technology that can control and eradicate malaria from its boarders, it can only be sustainable when it is eradicated in the continent as a whole.

    Onu added that the eradication of malaria in Nigeria will not be sustainable because after Nigeria eradicates the mosquito vectors, new ones will simply fly in from border countries.

    The Minister stated these on Tuesday in Abuja, while receiving the report by the technical Committee set up on the proposed national project on the eradication of malaria in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Onu donates science kits to award-winning school

    He said: ” There are many countries in the world that have eradicated malaria but in a country like Nigeria, if we want to eradicate malaria, even if we do it completely in Nigeria at any given time it will not be sustainable because we have so many countries whether it is Cameron, Chad, Niger and Benin Rebublic as boarders and we have other neighbouring countries that mosquitoes can easily fly in from with the parasite and make the achievement not sustainable.

    “For Nigeria to really be free from malaria, we must aim to make sure that the whole of Africa is free.

    “From what this report has indicated, the parasite and the vector are critical in the eradication of malaria.”

    He added: “The issue of eradication of malaria from Nigeria is very important and we need to take the first step, which is what we are doing.

    “It is a long journey, which is going to take many years but we cannot because it is difficult say that it cannot be done, we must take the first step.

    “If others can do it, then yes we can do it. We have the capacity of both bio and nuclear technology that can help us control and eradicate the parasite and the vector.

    “It doesn’t matter how long it takes, what matters is that one day in the future, malaria will be eradicated in Nigeria and Africa so that the eradication in Nigeria will be sustainable.”