Executive Order 5 places professionals at centre of economic development — Onu

The Federal Government has approved the guidelines for the implementation of Executive Order 5 which places Nigerian professionals at the centre of socio-economic development of the nation.

Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology, stated this on Thursday in his office in Abuja when he received a delegation of the Association of Computer Village Technology Merchants.

The minister said Executive Order 5 was a step in the right direction in repositioning Nigeria’s economic fortunes.

He pointed out that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement would grant Nigerian businesses access to more than 1.2 billion people across the continent.

“Nigeria needs to be a global superpower,” Onu said.

He assured the association of his ministry’s partnership and that the collaboration between them would increase Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to him, the ministry is committed to supporting Nigerians who make meaningful contributions to the development of science, technology and innovation.

He said the partnership with the association would create wealth, reduce unemployment and crime, as well as increase revenue for the government.

Earlier, the association’s President, Mr Tony Nwakeze, said his association sought collaboration with the ministry in creating an enabling environment.

According to Nwakeze, the enabling environment they requested is a reduction in import tariffs, financial grants, trainings and establishment of a technology hub to facilitate their activities.

He said the association had created employment for more than five million youths thereby impacting positively on the economy.