Gov Ahmed recieving his award |
Kwara
State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed has charged chemists to play active roles
in solving Nigeria’s challenges in the areas of healthcare, pharmaceuticals,
manufacturing and agribusiness.
Gov.
Ahmed gave the charge as a recipient of the 2016 Award of the America Chemical
Society and Nigeria International Chemical Societies Chapter.
Dr
Ahmed, who is a graduate of chemistry, noted that the prevailing economic
challenges in the country and the quest for the diversification of the economy
provide ample opportunities for chemists to play critical role’s in that
regard.
“At
a time like this, when the country is diversifying its economic base, it is
expedient that chemists increase research into areas such as agro-processing,
and solid Minerals Development in order to unlock the potentials in those
sectors and improve their contributions to the country’s economy”, he said.
The
governor added that given the critical roles of chemistry and other sciences in
industrial growth, science education should be made compulsory in Secondary and
Tertiary institutions to enhance reasoning skills.
“I
would like to recommend the inclusion of science education as compulsory in
secondary and tertiary institutions so as to enhance reasoning skills and
increase the number of students choosing a career in the sciences", the
governor suggested.
According
to the governor, in today’s knowledge economy, chemistry and indeed the
sciences as a whole, have critical roles to play in "industrialization and
ICT which remain the fulcrum in which current and future development
rests".
Gov
Ahmed solicited greater synergy between the academia and government so that
each can leverage on areas of competence and influence for the benefit of the
society.
The
Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniy Ambali in his remarks
charged chemists to ensure that serious attention is paid to effects of
chemical pollution in the country.
Prof.
Ambali, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, of the institution,
Prof. (Mrs) Sidikat Ijaya, said the huge volume of used vehicles imported into
the country constituted environmental hazard that should be checked.
The
Chairman of Annual Chemistry Scientists/Nigeria International Chemical Sciences
Chapter, Prof. Joshua Ayoola Obaleye said Governor Ahmed was selected for the
2016 ACS-NICSC Award because of his contributions to the society.
FOR MORE STORIES VISIT
CKN NEWS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS:
Twitter: @CKNNigeria
Facebook: CKNNigeria
CKN NEWS Hotline:
08080054001
Whatsapp: 08099677755
BBM : 2BE329DF
Website: www.cknnigeria.com
Tags
Society