The National Conference sitting in Abuja on Monday advocated the
\nintroduction of necessary legal frameworks to ensure that activities of
\nthe social media operators are properly guided and streamlined to avoid
\nabuse.<\/p>\n
Conference made the decision while adopting the recommendations of the
\nCommittee on Science, Technology and Development headed by Dr. Daniel
\nMaddo with Chief Raymond Dokpesi as deputy chairman.<\/p>\n
Conference also decided that government should make laws to regulate the
\noperations of cyber cafes for the protection of children and under-aged
\nusers.<\/p>\n
It was also resolved that in order to the elevate scientific and
\ntechnological development in Nigeria, a National Science and Technology
\nFund should be established by the Federal Government for utilization in
\nscience, technology and innovation activities.<\/p>\n
The Fund when established would be managed by a Presidential Council for
\nScience, Technology and Innovation including all the Nigerian Academies.<\/p>\n
The envisaged Council will render accounts of its operations to the Senate
\neither on annual or periodic basis as would be decided by an enabling law.<\/p>\n
Conference further suggested setting up of viable military industrial
\ncomplex as obtained in advanced countries of the world to contribute to
\nthe development of science and technology in Nigeria.<\/p>\n
In order to empower all registered professional bodies in the building
\nindustry to perform their expected roles, Conference called on the
\nNational Assembly to urgently pass into law the National Building Code.<\/p>\n
Delegates also agreed on the establishment of Abuja National Museum of
\nScience and History to encourage the younger generations in the study of
\nscience as well as to encourage research among academics.<\/p>\n
Also on Monday, the Committee on Agriculture headed by Alhaji Umaru
\nMuhamad Hadeija with Mrs. Ifeoma Idigbe as deputy presented its report to
\nthe Conference in session.<\/p>\n
The Committee was mandated to deliberate on the challenges confronting
\nagricultural development in Nigeria and chart the best and most acceptable
\nways for surmounting such challenges in the collective interest of all
\nconstituent parts of Nigeria.<\/p>\n
It was also tasked with the review of reports and other working documents
\nfrom previous conferences and memoranda from delegates and the public;
\nidentify the constitutional, political, economic, social and legal issues
\nthat are pertinent to the future of the country.<\/p>\n
On the same day, the Committee on Economy, Trade and Investment under the
\nleadership of Hajiya Bola Shagaya and Mr. Fola Adeola as deputy also
\npresented in its report to the Conference in plenary.<\/p>\n
The report which would be considered on Tuesday observes that Nigeria has
\nenormous potentials to become one of the richest countries in the world if
\nall its potentials are harnessed and developed to full capacity.<\/p>\n
It said though Nigeria has the largest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in
\nAfrica and ranks 26th in the world, that has not translated into economic
\ngains for its people.<\/p>\n
The Committee stated that, \u201cmajority of Nigerians are among the poorest in
\nthe world because the economy does not create enough decent jobs through
\nmanufacturing, value addition, art and craft as well as tourism.\u201d<\/p>\n
It attributed this to poor governance and corruption; the weak link
\nbetween development plans and budgeting at all levels of government;
\nlittle or no linkage between primary, secondary and service sector of the
\neconomy; among others.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, tear-filled tributes poured out on Monday as the delegates
\nformally received the news of the death of former Information Minister and
\nmember of the Conference, Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili.<\/p>\n
Also announced at the Conference was the demise of the Emir of Kano,
\nAlhaji Ado Bayero, said to have been the longest serving Emir of Kano; and
\nthe man who ensured peaceful commercial business by people of diverse
\nethnic groups in the ancient city of Kano.<\/p>\n
Conference Deputy Chairman and former Minister of Foreign Affairs,
\nProfessor Bolaji Akinyemi who announced Akunyili\u2019s death described her as
\n\u201ca fighter; a very patriotic Nigerian who fought to the very end.\u201d<\/p>\n
Akinyemi recalled Dora\u2019s last speech at the Conference and how she refused
\nto sit down and deliver her speech despite her deteriorating health
\ncondition; he added, \u201cWe will all miss her. Despite the frailty of her
\nhealth, she fought to the very end.\u201d<\/p>\n
The late Akunyili had, while commenting on the President\u2019s speech at the
\ninauguration of the National Conference, quoted a Greek proverb which
\nsays, \u201cA society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they
\nknow they shall never sit in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnson Oludeinde Oluata, in a note he sent to the chairman of Conference
\nand former chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Kutigi, said he was
\nemotionally touched when he read about the death of Professor Dora
\nAkunyili..
\n\u201cYou will all remember her for the great impact on standardisation in
\nNAFDAC and the rebranding campaign while she was the Minister for
\nInformation and of course her last appearance in our midst as a
\ndistinguished delegate\u201d, Oluata, a delegate in Professional Bodies Group
\nstated.
\nOluata said \u201cwe as a body of Thought Leaders owe it a duty to pay her a
\ncommensurate tribute.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The National Conference sitting in Abuja on Monday advocated the introduction of necessary legal frameworks to ensure that activities of the social media operators are properly guided and streamlined to…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25711,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27754","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n