'Science/Tech: Our Hope For Development'

Until Nigeria harnesses its internal capacity in science and technical education, it will remain a consumer country with a dwindling economy.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko made this observation in Akure while speaking during a courtesy call on him by the Executive Members of Science Teachers Association of Nigeria [STAN].

The governor, who decried the alarming rate of consumption in the country without any effort at producing the various goods being imported into the country, charged the science teachers to tap the potential of young Nigerians to produce little mechanical and electrical tools that will alleviate the sufferings of the people.

“One cannot imagine that in the 21st century, our farmers still have to bend their backs to eke out a modicum of living and carry out their farming activities as being done over 100 years ago. We must do something to be producers of goods and I have no doubt that we have the capability and capacity to produce mechanical and electrical tools to assist our people.

“All the nation needs to do is to focus on the improvement of Mathematics and Science Education to address the everyday concern of our people,” he said.

While thanking the visitors for choosing the state for the association’s conference for this year, with the theme “Reform in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics [STEM] Education”, Mimiko assured them that every logistic will be provided by his administration for the success of the programme.

Earlier in his address, the National President of the Association, Dr. Prince Okorie outlined the objectives of the association which he said was established in 1957 to include, promoting unity and cooperation among science teachers with the aim of improving science education.

He told the governor that the association has simplified and taken science education to the grassroots through the publication of low-cost textbooks on various science subjects.

According to him, they were in the state for the annual conference of the association which began on 15 August and will end on 21 August in Akure and informed the governor of the resolve of the leaders of the association to decorate him as the Patron of the association during the occasion.