The Nigerian Academy of Sciences (NAS) has inducted six scientists as fellows of the Academy and also opened its Science Museum and Library to the public.
The induction of the fellows held simultaneously with a public lecture on “Redefining Cancer Care in the Era of Immunotherapy and Precision Oncology: Implications for Research, Treatment and Policy in Nigeria” on Thursday in Abuja.
The new fellows include are: Prof. Martins Emeje, Director-General of the Nigerian Natural Medicines Development Agency (NNMDA), from the Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy field, Prof. Omotayo Arotiba, Physical Chemistry, Prof. Festus Okoye, Natural Product Medicinal Chemistry.
Others are Prof. Emeka Oguzie, Physical Chemistry, Prof. Olufunmilayo Fawole, Epidemiology and Public Health and Prof. Olukemi Amodu, Genetics/Molecular Biology and Public Health.
President of NAS, Prof. Abubakar Sambo, urged the new fellows to abide by the rules guiding the academy which was to promote science culture.
“The new fellows are supposed to promote scientific culture in the highest way in Nigeria, and encourage Nigerians to go for science and technology.
“They are to advise those in authorities to adopt science and technology projects, especially in the education sector,” he said.
On the museum, the president said it had begun populating it with historical items on science and technology development.
“What we have is a very good starting point but we will be increasing it with time and we can already see there’s going to be a lot of interest in what we have showcased,” he said.
He also urged old fellows of the academy, especially those within the corridors of government to be consistent with their advocacy on science and technology development in the country.
Emeje, on his induction, said the essence of science in the health research sector was for advancement of human knowledge, health and well-being of the people.
He said that it was an opportunity for him to serve with scientific gurus that were unbiased in taking science-driven decisions.
“It is an opportunity now to showcase and improve the scientific rigor and delivery that I have over the years been known for.
“With this honour, I feel more challenged to be a better Nigerian and do more in the science sector,” Emeje said.
Another inductee, Okoye, said he would work towards ensuring that Research products were linked for commercialisation.
“We need to make sure that we start engaging the gown to town, bridge the gap between science and the people.
“We need to start working on research that are not just globally competitive, but research that have public relevance.
“One of the ways that we improve the academy’s mandate is to make sure that we start engaging the industries with collaboration, so they collaborate with researchers and make sure researchers are solving industrial problems,” he said.
Prof. Kunle Odunsi, Director, University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, USA, while delivering the lecture, decried that cancer care in Nigeria was fragmented and needed to be addressed.
Odunsi recommended the creation of Cancer Registry in the country to enable the diagnosis and treatment of specific cancer mutations.
He also recommended support for the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) to deliver on cancer screening, detection, developing research infrastructure, among other responsibilities.
He urged the government to create insurance for cancer detection, treatment.
This, he said, would reduce the out-of-pocket costs, increase the number of radiotherapy centres, adding that there were more cancer deaths in third world countries than in developed countries.
Prof. Isaac Adeyemi, Chairman, NAS Museum Committee, said the museum was meant totrack the delivery of the objectives of NAS to the citizenry making science attractive irrespective of ages.
“The museum is displaying collections of objects having scientific, historical, or artistic interest, while the library is a repository of data; reference books, research journals, and assorted literatures, both in hard copies and digital formats.
“The NAS library poses to be a complimentary literature reference system that houses items that are difficult to find elsewhere within our national territory.
“NAS, by this infrastructure, is attempting to bridge the gap between scientific
knowledge and public understanding in a bid to cultivate a scientifically literate society,” he said.
According to him, the facility will be accessible in-house and remotely.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the museum, library located at Wada District Cadastral Zone, Apo, FCT, was commissioned by retired Gen. Theophilus Danjuma in January 2025.(NAN) http://www.nannews.ng
Edited by Uche Anunne
