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As the world celebrated World Science Day for Peace and Development on Saturday, November 10, as adopted by the United Nations Educational and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ), scientists urged governments at all levels to focus on research and development for the development of science. and technology sector.
The scientists made this call during separate talks in commemoration of the day in Abuja.
World Science Day for Peace and Development, celebrated annually on 10 November, was adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2001.
The day was set aside to highlight the important role of science in society and the need to engage the general public in debates on emerging scientific issues.
The theme of this year's celebration is "Science, a Human Right".
This day aims to build support for increased scientific and technological research, as well as to raise awareness of the importance of applying the results achieved to achieve development in the world. whole world.
Mr. Spencer Onu, Director of the Center for Satellite Technology Development (CSTD), said science and technology are the key to the development of any country.
He said that "Nigeria is not yet in the development stage of science and technology because we need increased and serious funding to develop this sector".
Onu, however, acknowledged that "with President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the Ministry of Science, the budget for science had increased relatively, adding that it was a glimmer d & # 39; hope.
He added that "for the first time in the science sector, the budget for this sector has increased, which means that this administration understands the capacity of this sector.
"We can do more in terms of investing in science and technology infrastructure for better development."
The scientist discovered that with the use of science and technology, especially space satellite technology, conflicts could be monitored and that the government was convinced that it could mitigate the difficulties in many areas. such situations.
"Thanks to satellite imagery, troop movements have been detected in crisis situations, ensuring the safe movement of people and the protection of properties," said Onu.
Dr. Daniel Okoh, coordinator of the Space Environment Lab, Center for Atmospheric Research, said that with the dynamics of science and technology, the country's major cities should have been monitored to mitigate crime.
Okoh said, "The level of application of science and technology is backlogged in Nigeria, because we should have already had cities like Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt under surveillance.
"If criminals know that surveillance cameras are watching them, they will behave and, if they do not know, you can use filmed footage to detect them.
"The Ministry of Science and Technology should focus more on research and development (R & D) and also adopt the application of research products," he added.
He explained that the application of science and technology in communication over the years had been used to reduce tensions.
"In 2015, after the general election and the announcement of the results, former President Goodluck Jonathan called on President Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him.
"With this singular act, he has eased the tensions already present in the country and for the maintenance of peace," Okoh said.
According to him, the use of science and technology can increase the yield of crops, develop irrigated agriculture and ensure food security.
He added that if food production was not up to the country's large population, people would have to fight for food to eat, but irrigated agriculture had mitigated that.
Falaiye Oluwasesan, head of the physics department at Ilorin University, said that science and technology had played an important role in the advancement and maintenance of peace.
Oluwasesan said that he had improved productivity and made security easier.
He reiterated, however, that the science and technology sector could progress further if the government invested in research and development.
"The government should invest in scientific research to achieve results that address the challenges.
"For me, the Nigerian government is not doing enough because we have scientists, researchers who do not have adequate work tools, and think about how to raise money to attend local and international conferences. .
"We are even more challenged that some are going so far as to collect loans to sponsor their basic research and, at the end, when they are presented to the government, they will be rejected.
He called on the government to take a comprehensive approach to ensure that the science and technology sector is developed to the expected standards.
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