Maiden Edition of FARI 2022 Commences In Abuja
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital City is playing host to Science, Technology and Innovation, STI, experts from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, for the maiden Edition of the Forum of African Research and Innovation, FARI 2022.
FARI, which is one of the four major programmes initiated by ECOWAS since 2014 as part of its Action Plan Implementation Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation, STI, is designed to create a real assimilation between all the scientific and innovation actors in the region, Africa and the world.
Its aim is to improve visibility of regional scientific and technological research so as to improve public understanding of the role of STI in socio-economic development.
Declaring open the five day conference, President Muhammadu Buhari called on African countries to look inwards for a better and brighter economic continent.
The President who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari described FARI as a great road map towards commitment to research and development which is necessary for diversification of socio-economic growth of Africa continent, through Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).
He emphasized that in line with the theme of the conference ‘’Science, Technology and Innovation for a more Competitive ECOWAS’’ that FARI will proffer solutions to the challenges hindering the industrialization of Africa and West Africa in particular.
He further said that the new generation of active and productive talents is being discovered to contribute their quota in surmounting the challenges confronting the economic growth of the region, hence, the need to create FARI.
The President reiterated that Nigeria is committed to further strengthening collaboration with Science, Technology and Innovation experts as an integral part of her respective national development policies and plans.
In his speech, the Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, Senator Adeleke Mamora, re-echoed the essence of the forum which is to improve public understanding of STI in the region.
The Minister further stated that the forum will help in creating a regular frame work between researchers, innovators as well as commercializing research results.
Earlier, the President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray had said that STI is the driving force for structural transformation of economy and factors of integration into the world economy.
On his part, the Director, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, Dakar Regional Office and Officer In Charge, Abuja Regional Office, Dr. Dimitri Sanga, reminded all countries including those in Africa of the need to reach their Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, as according to him, countries’ future economic growth depend on their timely transition to digital and green society driven by STI.
