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By Adaobi Nwangwu

Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Alhassan Bako Zaku, has commended Microsoft for planning to site an Innovation Training Centre in Abuja and pledged the Government's support.
The center which would be executed in collaboration with other partners, assured the organisation of the government's support to provide the necessary facilities that would enhance its take-off.
The Minister said this while receiving the delegation from Microsoft led by the Director-General (Microsoft), Mr. Emmanuel Onyeje, who paid him a courtesy call in his office at the weekend.
Zaku said that science and technology, being pivotal to national building, would provide an impetus through which Nigeria would meet the Vision 2020 target and other developmental goals adding that the nation would also meet other targets such as MDGs and others.
Zaku further said that the government would also encourage the organization's plan to develop software on course contents for technology and polytechnic education in Nigeria, adding that such gesture by the organisation would not only enhance efficient technology education in Nigeria but would also increase productivity in the sector.
Commenting on the Computer for All Nigerians Initiative, CANI, Zaku said that the programme is on course, noting that efforts are in the making to ensure that the generality of Nigeria is accessible to computers at affordable prices.
"We are looking at the possibility of reducing the prices of computers and laptops so that an average Nigerian could afford one," he stated further.
Earlier, Onyeje said that he was in the ministry to solicit the support of the government in establishing Microsoft Innovation Training Centre in Abuja, saying that Nigeria being a strategic partner in Africa would have more opportunity to train its citizen's skills on IT development.
She also said that the company intended to develop software on course contents of polytechnic education in Nigeria for increased efficiency and effectiveness.