Ministry Set To Fast-Track National Dev

The Permanent Secretary,
Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST), Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, has affirmed the readiness of the Ministry to fast-track national development through Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).
Oyo-Ita  made the assertion in Abuja during a courtesy visit of Society of Women Engineers, Technologists and  Scientists (SWETS) in Africa based in Abuja, to the ministry. She said that ministry was determined to doubles its efforts at impacting positively on all sectors  in the country to grow the national economy.
According to her, the  ministry is one of the core ministries of the present administration. “President Muhammadu Buhari has identified the FMST  as the backbone of the industrial take off of the nation and we  are  determined to prove that his trust in us is not  misplaced.
“We are doing  very well  in the area of research  in engineering infrastructure, road and building, biotechnology, space research, chemical technology, renewable  energy, technology transfer of what is in store for  this country.”
The permanent secretary promised that the ministry would work together  with the association, adding “both bodies have similar  objectives to carry out.”
She urged the association to intensify effort in sensitizing the  society about SWETS’ objectives. Earlier, the International  President of SWETS, Mrs Vera Egwatu, appreciated the ministry for granting the association’s courtesy visit aimed at partnering with the ministry.
According to her, Soceity of Women Engineers (SWE), a U.S. based organisation, took a decision to become a global body to help galvanishing and inspiring women Engineers, Technologists and Scientists.
“In 2008, it commenced its globalization programme with a pilot scheme involving four countries, namely Germany, Japan, India and Nigeria to provide a platform for women technologists and scientists to advance   their professional desires,” she said.
Egwatu listed SWETS objectives to include caring for members and catering for them in order to encourage them toward their provision and developing members in attaining  the highest level in their field.
She said that other were improving communication among women engineers, technologist, and scientists and addressing the under-representation of women in Science, technology and engineering among others.