MINNA – The National Council on Science and Technology (NCST) has called on SHESTCO to work with the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) on projects to accelerate national development.
This is contained in a report of its 12th council meeting made available to journalists on Wednesday at the ongoing 13th Council Meeting in Minna.
“Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) should work with the ministry and other stakeholders to regenerate its rice, wheat and cassava projects.
“Work on molecular cloning and genetically transformation to obtain marker-free transgenic rice resistant to rice blast disease and transgenic cassava with gluten gene was ongoing in the agency,” it said.
The report stated that the council had proposed the establishment of the Nigerian equivalent of the U.S. Silicon Valley to be called SHESTCO Silicon Valley.
The report said that in pursuit of the goal, the ministry hosted a team of UNESCO officials to partner with it to prepare the feasibility studies for the project.
It said it would also provide technical advice on linkage, networking, and fundraising for the take-off of the Silicon Valley.
The report affirmed that the council was determined to mainstream women in Science, Technology and Innovation for sustainable national economic growth.
It said that the council had resolved to facilitate the establishment of a gender desk in each state ministry of science and technology and the Federal Capital Territory for mainstreaming of women in science, technology and innovative activities.
The report said that the ministry on its part had established a gender desk in the ministry with representatives from all the departments.
“A joint meeting of all the Gender Desk Officers in ministries and agencies resolved to conduct a survey to ascertain the present status of women participation in Science, Technology and Innovation,” it said. (NAN)
