Meeting Of African Science Academies In Nigeria
Nigeria hosts meeting of African science academies - The eighth edition of the annual meeting of the African Science Academies (AMASA-8) ope...
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Nigeria hosts meeting of African science academies - The eighth edition of the annual meeting of the African Science Academies (AMASA-8) opened in Lagos Monday with a call by President Goodluck Jonathan for more collaboration and cooperation to mitigate the effects of climate change on the continent.
“Beyond science, climate change is also about the future of Africa and the survival of its citizens. Rather than discuss simply as representatives of science academies, participants should seize this platform to relate science and climate change to the future of our continent and humankind”, President Jonathan told delegates at the conference.
The President, represented by the Science and Technology Minister, Professor Ita Okon Bassey Ewa, said that the government recognised the important place of science, technology and innovation in the development of the country, hence its huge investment in the sector.
The three-day international conference, attracting delegates from across the continent, the Diaspora and beyond, is being held under the theme “Climate Change in Africa: Using science to reduce climate risks”.
“We need to look at ways to mitigate and ways to adapt to the effects of climate change,' Prof Oye Ibidapo-Obe, President of the Nigerian Academy Science (NAS), which is hosting the conference, told delegates in his welcome address.
The AMASA conference was formerly known as the African Science Academy Development Initiative (ASADI), a programme supported by the US Academies of Science to bring together scientists on the continent to come up with evidence-based research that will help policy makers put science, technology and innovations in the front burner of national and continental development.
”Let me say this that where we are sitting comfortable today is on water. When we were young this place (near Sheraton Hotel) used to be an extension of the Bar Beach, but today science has transformed the place into a habitable place. This is a clear testimony of the role of science in national development”, the NAS President said.
He said for the next three days, the conference goals will focus on the occurrence of climate change in Africa and its impact on public health as well as food security.
The delegates, drawn from Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Ethiopia, South Africa, Uganda and the United States Academy of Sciences, among others, will also discuss ways to mobilize finance for climate effects in Africa.
Other goals of the conference include to advocate for an inclusive science-based agenda on adaptation and mitigation of climate risks in Africa.
Delegates would also initiate a process for long-term engagement of African Science academies with their governments and relevant stakeholders on climate change issues.
“To all the African Academies, it's being a pleasure to work with you. We have learnt much, we have been moved by your credible assets. So as the ASADI programme transform into AMASA, we will continue to work together and engage in joints projects. No single Academy can provide solution to the problem of climate change, we need to work together,' the Chair of ASADI Programme, United States National Academy of Sciences, Entriqueta Bond, said at the ceremony.
In his remarks, the Nigerian Health Minister, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, noted that the four main goals of the conference were very important to the development of any nation.
He was particularly happy that the conference was focusing on public health and food security.
“The time to act is now, climate change is expected to increase the burden of disease such as respiratory. The developing countries are most at risk. We need to modify our approach and practices. The current massive flood in more than 20 states in Nigeria is a clear example of climate change,' the minister added.
Two young African scientists who distinguished themselves were honoured with a certificate and US$ 5,000 each. They are Mr. Olugbenga Solomon Bello, who won an award in Basic science technology and Innovation, and Mr. Adedayo Oluwaseun Ademuloye, winner in Apt Science.
The President, represented by the Science and Technology Minister, Professor Ita Okon Bassey Ewa, said that the government recognised the important place of science, technology and innovation in the development of the country, hence its huge investment in the sector.
The three-day international conference, attracting delegates from across the continent, the Diaspora and beyond, is being held under the theme “Climate Change in Africa: Using science to reduce climate risks”.
“We need to look at ways to mitigate and ways to adapt to the effects of climate change,' Prof Oye Ibidapo-Obe, President of the Nigerian Academy Science (NAS), which is hosting the conference, told delegates in his welcome address.
The AMASA conference was formerly known as the African Science Academy Development Initiative (ASADI), a programme supported by the US Academies of Science to bring together scientists on the continent to come up with evidence-based research that will help policy makers put science, technology and innovations in the front burner of national and continental development.
”Let me say this that where we are sitting comfortable today is on water. When we were young this place (near Sheraton Hotel) used to be an extension of the Bar Beach, but today science has transformed the place into a habitable place. This is a clear testimony of the role of science in national development”, the NAS President said.
He said for the next three days, the conference goals will focus on the occurrence of climate change in Africa and its impact on public health as well as food security.
The delegates, drawn from Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Ethiopia, South Africa, Uganda and the United States Academy of Sciences, among others, will also discuss ways to mobilize finance for climate effects in Africa.
Other goals of the conference include to advocate for an inclusive science-based agenda on adaptation and mitigation of climate risks in Africa.
Delegates would also initiate a process for long-term engagement of African Science academies with their governments and relevant stakeholders on climate change issues.
“To all the African Academies, it's being a pleasure to work with you. We have learnt much, we have been moved by your credible assets. So as the ASADI programme transform into AMASA, we will continue to work together and engage in joints projects. No single Academy can provide solution to the problem of climate change, we need to work together,' the Chair of ASADI Programme, United States National Academy of Sciences, Entriqueta Bond, said at the ceremony.
In his remarks, the Nigerian Health Minister, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, noted that the four main goals of the conference were very important to the development of any nation.
He was particularly happy that the conference was focusing on public health and food security.
“The time to act is now, climate change is expected to increase the burden of disease such as respiratory. The developing countries are most at risk. We need to modify our approach and practices. The current massive flood in more than 20 states in Nigeria is a clear example of climate change,' the minister added.
Two young African scientists who distinguished themselves were honoured with a certificate and US$ 5,000 each. They are Mr. Olugbenga Solomon Bello, who won an award in Basic science technology and Innovation, and Mr. Adedayo Oluwaseun Ademuloye, winner in Apt Science.
