Tobias Sylvester
Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu has revealed that Nigeria will soon join the league of countries in space exploration.
Mr. Onu, who disclosed this while stressing on the importance of science and engineering in the nation, said it may take us 20 or 30 years but Nigeria has plans to also land in space.
He was speaking at the 2020 National Convention of the Izzi Old Students Association held at the Faculty of Education, Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Ishieke campus, on Thursday, January 16, 2020.
The minister expressed worries at the number of students interested in science and engineering subjects. He said:
“It is sad that the students after rendering the school’s anthem started mentioning the professions that they will like to pursue, but not even one mentioned engineering.
“The principals and teachers should bring people who can enlighten the students on the importance of engineering to nation-building.
“It will be very sad if in this school we don’t have young people aspiring to be engineers because in Nigeria we have plans to send people to the space.
“Yes, we have that plan; don’t ever think it cannot be done, it may take 20 years, 30 years, but we have that plan and I will be very happy to see somebody from this school to go into space and you cannot do it without science and engineering.”
Mr Onu said there are so many resources we have in our state and in our country and one problem we have faced is that we have always allowed our economy to depend entirely on commodities.
KanyiDaily recalls that the minister had said that Nigeria will be as advanced as China in the next 30 to 50 years with the help of President Muhammadu Buhari‘s drive for innovation.
According to him, the president’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan will make Nigeria as advanced as China in the future.
