FG to partner Kano govt on food security

THE Federal Ministry of Science and Technology is to partner Kano State Government on the production of Neem fertiliser and application of research findings so as to guarantee food security and national development.

Minister of Scienceand Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, made this known when the Permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation and Chairperson, Action Committee for the establishment of Neem Fertiliser processing plant, Hajija Bilkisu Waziri, paid him a courtesy call in Abuja.

He also advised the state government to create an independent Ministry of Scienceand Technology to facilitate the application of science and technology innovations in line with the desire of the country to move from resource-based to knowledge-based innovation driven economy.

Dr Onu, said that the State Science andTechnology University in Wudil, would be an added advantage to the people if an independent Scienceand Technology Ministry was created, adding that the products from these two institutions would create wealth and provide jobs for the youths and the economic growth of the country.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Hajiya Bilkisu Waziri said that the purpose of the visit was to seek the minister’s blessings, advice and assistance in the actualisation of a pilot Neem fertiliser plant in Kano.

She further said that the state government was ever ready to provide an enabling environment for more collaboration, cooperation and assistance with the Ministry of Scienceand Technology and its agencies.

The PS therefore solicited the assistance of the ministry to facilitate the intervention of development partners in promoting science, technology and innovation.