Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State says Nigeria can attain economic greatness if it integrates science and technology into its socio-economic development process.
He made the assertion at the opening ceremony of the maiden Oyo State Science and Technology Summit held on Monday at the House of Chiefs in Ibadan.
The two-day summit was organised by the State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in collaboration with Office of the Special Adviser on Information, Communication and Technology.
The theme of the summit is ‘Repositioning the Economy through Science and Technology: A Collective Responsibility.’
Mr Ajimobi, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Moses Adeyemo, said with the integration of science and technology, Nigeria would attain its vision of becoming one of the largest economies by 2020.
The governor said that the integration of science and technology into the nation’s socio-economic development process would guarantee competitiveness within the continent and globally.
Ajimobi, who listed his administration’s effort in the promotion of a technological-driven economy in the state, said one of such efforts was the summit.
“The only form of investment that allows for increasing returns is in building the stocks and flows of knowledge that a country or organisation needs.
“Adopting appropriate technologies leads directly to high productivity which is the key to growth.
“This summit aims at promoting the values of science and technology to economic growth and diversification,” he said.
Ajimobi expressed the hope that “the seed being planted’’ would stimulate greater interest among the youths to embrace science and technology as a way of life.
