• Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Scientists find solution to climate change issues in $100, 000 Nigeria Prize for Science

Erosion

The negative impact of climate change in Nigeria as reflected in erosions, droughts and desertification plaguing some parts of the country has continued to worry and agitate the minds of individuals, corporate bodies and environmental activists.

This concern was demonstrated recently by the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) which has sponsored The Nigeria Prize for Science, encouraging scientists to find lasting solution to these environmental menace.

This year’s edition of The Nigeria Price, the 15th in the series, has 29 scientists contesting to find the needed solution and the science prize, first awarded in 2004, comes with a cash prize of $100, 000.

Details of the 2019 prize contest were revealed recently at the handover of the 2019 entries to the Advisory Board of the prize, signifying the beginning of the judging process that will culminate in the announcement of a winner.

“The business of scientific innovation and research is not an easy task anywhere in the world. In Nigeria, it is even more difficult because of the paucity of research funds and the resulting increasing lack of interest,” said Andy Odeh, NLNG’s Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, while handing over the entries to the Advisory Board, chaired by Alfred Akpoveta Susu.

Odeh assured that Nigeria LNG would continue, through the Nigeria Prize for Science, to find excellence even if it is to be found “in the darkest corner” as NLNG was committed to changing the narrative of the nation through scientific prowess,  through which many nations have excelled.

He noted that, although climate change remained a myth to so many people,  its impact could be seen on environment and agriculture. “We have all seen the growing rate of desertification in the northern part of our country, he said, adding, “climate change is real and that is why NLNG believes that solutions to this threat can be engendered through a competition such as The Nigeria Prize for Science. The prize is another opportunity for NLNG to contribute to the development of the country.

“The Nigeria Prize is open to all irrespective of nationality. What is common to all past and prospective winners is the focus on solving Nigeria’s problems through scientific endeavours. It does not matter who finds solutions to the Nigerian problems; all that counts is that it helps to build a better Nigeria, in line with the vision of Nigeria LNG”.

The entries, which came in response to a call for entries published in the national dailies in February 2019, will be examined on their merits of excellence in advancing the frontiers of knowledge in, or providing innovative solutions to the issue of climate change in Nigeria.
Susu, a Professor, remarked that regardless of the large or how small the number of entries is, the judging process for the competition must take its course and assured Nigerians that the advisory board would deliver according to their mandate based on the values of integrity and excellence.

He enjoined the judges to understand that “judging the prize goes beyond the prize itself. It is contributing to nation building and we must never compromise on excellence.”

The entries were immediately handed over to the panel of judges, chaired by Deborah Ajakaiye, also a Professor. She assured Nigerians that the judges were completely aligned to NLNG’s core values of Integrity and excellence in carrying out their duties. Ajakaiye added that finding solutions to climate change through the prize was timely as there were forces fast eating up Nigeria’s land mass from all corners of the country.

CHUKA UROKO