From David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi
Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, yesterday, said the people of Nnewi in Anambra state have shown Nigeria the direction to go in industrialization and technology development with their resolve to produce most of the things imported from overseas in Nnewi.
Speaking during an interactive session and certificate presentation ceremony to graduands and entrepreneurs of Technology Incubation Center, Nnewi, Dr Onu said the people of Nnewi started producing motor spare parts adding that today the most notable vehicle producing company, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company ( IVM ) is located in Nnewi.
“We cannot continue to be importing some of the things we can produce in Nigeria. It does not benefit us as a great nation. If we continue importing, we end up exporting jobs and make our people to remain unemployed while we are employing foreigners and we equally deny ourselves some revenues we would have earned,” he said.
While commending the 14 graduands for acquiring the skills and technology to develop and employ labour, he promised them that the Ministry would help them acquire funds for establishing their small and medium scale industries.
Governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano who was represented by the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Science and Technology, Dr Chiene Emeka, said that the state is desirous of close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to train various categories of entrepreneurs
The Director General, National Board for Technology Incubation, NBTI, Dr Mohammed Jubrin also noted that previous graduands of TIC, Nnewi had presented success stories as they are now part of the key players of the Nigerian economy.