The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has been honoured by Academic Staff Union of Research Institutes (ASURI).
This followed his emergence as the first inductee into the hall of fame of ASURI.
This historical event took place at the sensitisation workshop of the staff of the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (FMSTI) on the full implementation of the Presidential Executive Order 05 on Thursday in Abuja.
In a citation jointly signed by Dr. Nnamdi A. Onunka and Dr. Theophilus Ndubuaku, President and Secretary General of ASURI respectively, described Onu as the most labour-friendly Honourable Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, into the newly created ASURI HALL OF FAME.
According to the ASURI “It is remarkable and noteworthy that you are the first-ever inductee into the Hall of Fame of our great Union.
“And we have no iota of doubt about your qualification for induction into the newly created ASURI HALL OF FAME”.
Speaking on the Executive Order 5, the Minister enunciated that the essence of the Order was to ensure that Nigeria acquires technologies that will help in positioning the nation towards self-sufficiency.
He said, “The Executive Order is revolutionary as it is a contribution of the Ministry towards transforming the nation to the level of greatness ordained by God”.
Dr Onu added that the absence of Presidential Executive Order 5, led to the decline of the petroleum refineries, saying Nigerian engineers were not involved in the construction and repair of the refineries in the first place.
He used the opportunity to appreciate President Buhari for his support and also urged Nigerians to support the full implementation of the Executive Order, for the sustainable growth and development of the country.
On the recently revised STI policy, the Minister said that when fully implemented it will be the key to unlocking great opportunities for the country’s overall socio-economic development.
In her welcome address, the newly appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Monilola Udoh said that every average Nigerian must be aware of Executive Order 5 in terms of skills and resources.
She further added that relevant MDAs and stakeholders should take the sensitization exercise serious, in order to transfer the knowledge gotten during the course of the workshop.
The National Coordinator of the Strategy implementation task office of the Presidential Executive Order No. 05 (SITOPEO-5) Engr. Ibiam Oguejiofor said the order will encourage Nigerian youths to be at the centre of socio-economic activities.
