… as centre co-hosts 2021 G-STIC
BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
The National Centre for Technology Management, NACETEM, an agency of the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has revealed that science and technology could be helpful in tackling insurgency in Nigeria if energy is made sufficient.
The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NACETEM, Prof. Okechukwu Ukwuoma, while addressing newsmen on Wednesday on the readiness of the Centre to co-host the
2021 Global Sustainable Technology and Innovation Community Conference (G-STIC), disclosed that political will, required motivation and adequate energy would be needed in the fight against insecurity.
Ukwuoma, while speaking at the centre, located at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said production of technological equipment that would be deployed in fighting insecurity could be produced by Nigerians if they get the right motivation and resources.
The NACETEM boss stressed that lack of political will, motivation, enabling environment and inadequate energy, were part of the difficulties hampering the use science and technology to tackle insecurity in Nigeria.
On why it is difficult to deploy technology to tackle insurgency, Ukwuoma said, “One of the problems we have is that energy generation, transmission, and distribution level is very pathetic. Production of technological equipment, both computers and others, requires a lot of energy and if we don’t have energy to produce them, we are merely discussing them. If we continue to discuss ideas without putting them into practical applications, we won’t achieve anything.
“Nigerians outside are doing wonders. It doesn’t mean Nigerians are not productive in the areas of science and technology. Nigerians are very good when they have what it requires; when they have the right motivation. When you tell people to do something, you give them the resources, support and protection. If there is a political will to say, I want Nigeria to develop somethings, give motivation, get people to do it, supervise them and give them everything they require; you can even isolate or imprison them and give them task, you will see that people want to make names and survive,” he added.
He said G-STIC, with the theme: “Shaping a Post-Pandemic World: Real-life examples of technological solutions for the SDGs,” is a World Expo edition which will take place in Dubai, UAE and will focus on knowledge and technologies that are crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Ukwuoma added that the conference will be an accelerator and testing ground for breakthrough technological solutions that the world needs to shape a post-pandemic world and create a better future for all.
“This 5th G-STIC conference in Dubai will be spread over two editions. One in October 2021 and the other in January 2022. The conference will be livestreamed on all our digital platforms, thereby ensuring a great interactive experience between speakers and participants.
“Prospective participants have the chance to receive an invitation to attend the G-STIC conference live in Dubai when they preregister for the online G-STIC conference. Interested participants can preregister on www.gstic.org or www.nacetem.gov.ng,” he noted.
