Buhari gives scholarship to 3 science students, says future belongs to youth

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, March 16, granted full scholarship up to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree level to three secondary students who emerged winners at the year 2020 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential award competition.

TrendnGist reports that the scholarship is in any science-related discipline of their choice at any university in the country.

The special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, made this known in a statement issued on his Facebook page on Monday, March 16.

Declaring open the 2020 science, technology and innovation expo with the theme "Enhancing the growth of a diversified economy through science and technology,'' the president commended the creativity and competitive spirit of the three young scientists who emerged tops in the competition tagged 774 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award (774 YONSPA).

Adesina said that the students are Masters Akintade Abdullahi Akanbi of Osun state from Osogbo Government High School, Osogbo, Osun state, who came first; while the second positions went to Uwakwe Nelson Kamsiyochukwu of Anambra state from British Spring College, Awka and Aimofumhe Eshiobomhe Sigmus of FCT from the School of the Gifted, Gwagwalada, Abuja, respectively.

The president noted that Nigeria’s greatest resource is its human capital, assuring that his administration would continue to support human resource development.

He said: ''This is richly embodied in our youth who make up tens of millions of incredibly talented persons, constantly pushing and striving towards greatness. The future of Nigeria belongs to our youth.

''This administration will, therefore, continue to create the enabling environment for them to develop to the fullest, their potentials. We will harness their energy and their talents to make Nigeria achieve true greatness.''

The president reiterated the commitment of the federal government to partner with the private sector on science, technology and innovation sector development towards ensuring that the sector plays a very important role in advancing the frontiers of knowledge for nation-building.

''Government will continually support the creation of intervention funds to strengthen research and development, human capacity building programmes and collaboration with the organized private sector.

'We will continue to work towards the realisation of the National Research and Innovation Fund. I am aware, this Fund will help promote research activities in our country,'' he said.

He, therefore, directed the ministers of science and technology to create the needed opportunities to ensure that Nigerian scientists work towards providing solutions to the nation's challenges of insecurity, unemployment, poverty, healthcare delivery and power, among others.

Buhari affirmed that if Nigerian potentials in the science and technology sector are properly harnessed, with the enabling environment created, 100 million Nigerians will be taken out of poverty in the next ten years.