Abuja – The Federal Government says it will strengthen the awareness to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in the country.
Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister of Science and Technology, made the pledge on Tuesday in Abuja, when a team from the National Mathematical Centre, Abuja visited him in his office.
The minister said that building the capacity of youths in the areas of science would boost national development.
According to Onu, the ministry will strengthen its effort to promote and educate Nigerians by creating awareness in the area of science and technology; engage and enhance research skills and encourage academic excellence.
“The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology is at the forefront of facilitating the development and deployment of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to enhance the pace of socio-economic development of the country,’’ he said.
He promised the team that the ministry would collaborate with the centre Chair Programme on Mathematics to host the African Academy of Science and African Mathematical Union, international symposium.
The theme of the upcoming symposium is “Current Research Trends in the Mathematical Sciences and Application.’’
Prof. Adewale Solarin, the Director-General of the centre, said their visit was to partner with the ministry to support the international event, scheduled to hold in Abuja.
Solarin said topics to be discussed include: Pure and Applied Mathematics; Computer Science; Statistics and Probability; Mathematical Physics, Mathematical Modeling; Financial Mathematics and Applications in Engineering.
In his remarks, the President, African Academy of Sciences, Prof. Aderemi Kuku, said the symposium would be a focal point for advanced research and training in the mathematical sciences and its applications.
“This position is inevitable as government is making frantic effort to place Nigeria in its rightful position in the world of advanced technology as a vehicle for the achievement of its vision 20:2020,’’ he said. (NAN)
