By Modupe Gbadeyanka
There are plans by the federal government to build at least one standard laboratory in a university in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country.
This disclosure was made on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr Bitrus Nabasu.
Yesterday, Mr Nabasu received an award of Icon for Societal Change from the national leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) at his office and during his remarks, informed the delegation that government was determined to implement the recently signed Executive Order.5, which would make Nigeria be a knowledge-based economy by 2030.
Mr Nabasu highlighted some of the innovative programs by the ministry to boost the performance of well-deserving young people in society.
According to him, some of these programmes are the 774 Young Scientists Presidential Award aimed at identifying potential young scientists of exceptional ability, the junior secondary school science kits aimed at helping rural communities with science equipment, amongst other.
He urged students to make use of their ideas and innovations to help the technological sector of the country, noting that the ministry has a department saddled with the task of aiding scientists on their difficulties in the field of research and design.
The permanent secretary said with the policies of the present administration, Nigeria would be among the top 20 economies in the world in no distant time.
Earlier, the Director of Protocol of NANS, Comrade Abdulmalik Usman, extolled the selfless quality of Mr Nabasu, which he said was evident in the level of achievements and landmark strides seen in the ministry.