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U.S Urges FG to Invest more in Science, Research
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences has urged the Nigerian government and the private sector, to allocate adequate funds to the ministry of Science and Technology, to realise its full potential and advance development of the nation.
Jonathan Fanton, President, of the academy, made the call at a dinner to mark 40th anniversary of Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) located in Lagos.
Fanton, who identified science and technology as the key to national development, added that the benefit that would accrue to its citizenry would be massive, if properly funded.
According to him, investment in sciences will boost production and healthcare delivery among others in the sense that it will aid in capacity building, researches and innovations.
“I recommend significant increase in funding for basic sciences by government, industries private sector, for this will go a long way to ensuring food security, poverty reduction and improve academic standard .
“Such investment will also avail children the opportunity to embrace science as their courses of study both in secondary and tertiary institution of learning.
“Because laboratories in schools among others will be well equipped to enhance easier learning,” he said.
Prof. Mosto Onuoha, President, Nigerian Academy of science said the goal of the organisation was to ensure that the gains of science and technology were brought to bear in the solution of national problems.
Onuoha, who identified science as critical in national development, said it cut across all spheres of life and economy which include health, water, sanitation, hygiene, electricity, transportation, Agriculture and education.
The president reiterated that no remarkable progress would be made worldwide without sciences adding that it was a transformation agent.
He however, said improved investment in the sector would go a long way to boost the capacity of professionals in the area of research, students’ performance, environmental sanitation and health care delivery.
Onuoha, who identified inadequate fund as one of the changes bedeviling the academy however, urged the Federal Government, industries as well as philanthropists to prioritise investment in the sector for quality and efficient service delivery.
He however, expressed the determination of the academy to ensure better future for the citizens particularly the younger generation.
“Science has solutions to diseases, water borne problems, energy. There are lots of problems befalling man kind that science can effectively resolve.
“Our people die of environmental and sanitation problems and these issues can only to be tackled scientifically.
“Our goal and aspiration is to see young children embracing science technology, develop interest in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Agriculture and Biology as against what is obtainable now.”
Similarly, Donald Duke, former Governor of Cross Rivers State, while congratulating the academy for giant strides, made so far, however, urged them to collaborate with governments at all levels to ensure that science was well captured in schools curriculum.
Duke, who reaffirmed that “we are moving faster to the technological world’’, said this required every Nigerians to embrace it and as well be science compliance or else you would be left behind.
According to him, if science and technology are well captured in school curriculum, it will go a long way to enhance school performance and national development.
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Legit.ng, Shade of Life Foundation Partner to Advance Autism Awareness in Nigeria
Legit.ng recently joined forces with the Shade of Life Foundation to become a voice of autism, and drive advocacy for improved media support during Autism Awareness Month.
Conversations around media support exploration was led by Joseph Omotayo, head of Department for Human Interest Stories at Legit.ng, and Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, founder and CEO of the Shade of Life Foundation,
This partnership is a response to the concerns raised by organizations like the Shade of Life Foundation about the level of support received from the media in discussing autism as a disability.
While other disabilities may receive attention, autism, with its critical developmental implications often lacks adequate representation in mainstream media.
Recognizing the importance of addressing these concerns, Legit.ng took proactive steps by integrating itself into the essence of autism awareness.
It facilitated a one-hour workshop with Dr. Nwokolo, the founder of the foundation, to deepen our understanding of autism, its various spectrums, and the language boundaries associated with it.
Other steps we took in advocating autism awareness in the media, can be seen in our attached press release.
Legit.ng believes that by amplifying the voices of autism and advocating for better media representation, we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all.
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As Nigeria Struggle, Tanzania Turns off Power Plants Due to Excess Supply
While 85 per cent of Nigeria is in darkness, Tanzania, an African country has shut down five hydroelectric stations in a bid to reduce excess electricity in the national grid.
Kassim Majaliwa, prime minister, Tanzania, has said the main plant, Mwalimu Nyerere Hydroelectric Station, alone generated enough electricity to power major cities, including Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial hub.
It is the first time Tanzania, which suffers chronic power shortages, has closed hydroelectric stations due to excess production.
“We have turned off all these stations because the demand is low and the electricity production is too much, we have no allocation now,” an official from state-run power company, Tanesco, said.
The 2,115MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam is said to be almost filled with water following heavy rains that started early this year.
Meanwhile, while the country has an installed capacity of 1,938MW and the grid installed capacity of 1,899MW, Nigeria which has an installed capacity of 13,000MW is struggling to electrify 85 per cent of its electricity consumers.
News
President Tinubu Appoints Jim Ovia as Student Loan Fund Chairman
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jim Ovia, renowned banker and businessman, as the Chairman, Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Ovia’s appointment is contained in a State House statement titled, ‘President Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as Chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund,’ and issued on Friday by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the President, Media & Publicity.
The statement noted that “Ovia is the founder of one of Nigeria’s leading banks and a respected business leader, with a surfeit of efforts and benefaction towards nurturing and empowering young Nigerians.
“He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.”
The National Student Loan Programme is a pivotal intervention that seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the implementing institution of this innovation, demands excellence and Nigerians of the finest professional ilk to guide and manage.
“The President believes Mr. Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their pursuit of higher education over a lack of funds,” the statement partly read.
Ovia’s appointment will also ensure “that Nigerian youths, irrespective of who they are, have access to higher education and skills that will make them productive members of society and core contributors to the knowledge-based global economy of this century.”
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