In a bid to facilitate and boost Internet broadband penetration in the country, the Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the production of Indigenous Satellite.

 

The satellite production and design which will be achieved through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Project in line with Executive Order No.5 seeks to boost local production and ensure that Nigeria relies less on imports.

 

The Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh who disclosed this ground-breaking achievement at the South -South dialogue between government and stakeholders in the Science, Technology and Innovation ecosystem in Port Harcourt, said that the geo-political dialogues would enhance the productive capacities of each geo-political zone to promote the nation’s Global Competitiveness and Productivity.

 

He said, the Technology and Innovation centres have the task of showcasing the role of Science, Technology, and Innovation in socio-economic development, he added that this will ensure Nigeria moves from a resource-based economy to a knowledge and innovation driven economy.

 

According to Chief Ikoh, the development of Technology Innovation centres will provide the enabling environment for the emergence of Tech-Giants, Innovative discoveries, and inventions, that will accelerate reverse engineering.

 

He added that this will help curb restiveness and militancy.

 

Earlier, the National Coordinator, Strategy Implementation Task Office for Presidential Executive Order NO.5, Engineer Ibiam Oguejiofor, noted that the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, will collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the ecosystem to promote the application of STI in all sectors of the economy.

 

Speaking, the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor C. Mmom, commended the Federal Government for considering Rivers State as a host of the South-South zone and centre of excellence for global competitiveness and productivity.