By Nkechi Isaac, Abuja
 
Despite the uncertainty caused by the influx of members of the Shiite sect into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, science supporters in Nigeria trooped out in their numbers to join more than 1 million people in over 600 locations across the world to march in support of science.
 
Enthusiastic science lovers made up of scientists, farmers, civil society groups, lawyers and journalists took to the streets in Abuja to stand up for science and sensitise Nigerians on the importance of science and its role in the overall socio-economic development of the nation.
 
The science enthusiasts spoke with one voice and had a unified message which was their belief in science as a game-changer that can jump-start rapid development and revolutionalise all sectors of the economy with emphasis on the health, and the development of vaccines; environment, and the potential to tackle climate change; agriculture, and the potentials of adopting and applying scientific tools such as biotechnology in revolutionising the sector and enhancing food security.
 
The Nigeria March for Science 2018, themed, “Science and technology: An agent for economic development” was organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology; the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA); the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) in Africa, Nigeria Chapter and the Cornell Alliance for Science (CALS).
 
Welcoming participants, the overseeing director-general of NABDA, Mr Abayomi Oguntunde, said the rally sought to create awareness and sensitise the populace on the many ways science serves our communities and our world, as well as to encourage the public to value science, treasure science, respect science, invest in science, appreciate and engage with science.  
 
Oguntunde said: “The life of everyone of us is highly dependent on scientific inventions, innovations and modern-day technologies. Science has changed the lives of people largely which as we all know, have been deployed to every aspect of modernization and in sectors like agriculture, medicine, environment, education, industry, electricity, aviation, information, etc for both developing and developed nations. Modern science in Nigeria is awakened by the continuous and hard efforts of the outstanding scientists and researchers who attempt scientific advances of highest international calibre.
 
“Just like other scientists across the world, Nigerian scientists have developed various scientific tools that can help in the area of food security, combating climate change which the public have not been fully aware of. This march for science therefore, has provided yet another opportunity for science supporters to come together, join voices to amplify available science-based solutions the nation can adopt to ensure food security.”
 
According to him, “At the current population of over 180 million people and projected population of 400 million people by 2050, Nigeria is faced with the risk of decreased farming population due to age; decreased arable land; poverty; malnutrition and hunger because conventional method of agriculture can no longer meet up with our demand. Science holds the solution to our food security.”
 
Oguntunde represented by the agency’s chief scientific officer, Mr Osino Christian, restated that science is revolutionary and holds the key to constant improvement for addressing climate change, food shortage and challenges in medicine.
 
Earlier, the OFAB Nigeria chapter's country coordinator, Dr Rose Gidado, listed the goals of the march to include humanizing science as science is first a human process, saying Nigerians viewed science as abstract and did not know there are scientists in Nigeria; support scientists by speaking up for them and amplifying their voices; and partner with the public, by engaging the communities in the research process.
 
She said the objectives of the march were to build capacity, gain publicity, and demonstrate strength and solidarity in science to decision-makers; reemphasise the role of science in national development; create an open, honest science communication and inclusive public outreach; and affirm science as a democratic value, describing it as a vital feature of a working democracy.
 
Gidado empahsised that the sensitization would not end with the march, pointing out that the agency would continually engage the public and sensitise them on the enormous potentials available in science all year round.
 
In his message, Nigeria’s Science Ambassador, and Nollywood superstar, Paul Obazele, said science is not fiction and likened it to what is done in the movie world, pointing out that it goes through laid down processes to a logical conclusion. He stressed the need for enhanced public awareness drive and sensitization of science and its potentials, adding most Nigerians are ignorant of science and the amazing potentials it holds for revolutionising the nation.
 
Giving reasons behind their staunch support and active participation in the march, farmers under the aegis of All Famers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) said the work of scientists in the lab, has the potential to change the fortune of farmers.
 
AFAN's vice president, Chief Daniel Okafor, said: “Scientists cannot do their work without the farmers, farmers must be involved because they are direct beneficiaries of biotechnology. For instance, when you go to countries like Brazil, Argentina, South Africa and Argentina, famers are in the forefront of agricultural biotechnology. Biotechnology has the potential to lift farmers.”
 
He also urged government to fund science so scientists and researchers could come up with more research breakthrough that can positively affect the populace and the entire nation invariably.


http://www.abujapress.com/2018/04/why-nigerians-must-treasure-science.html?m=1

Science is life

If this were to be a religious gathering every where will be filled to brim with empty headed worshipers repeating the same prayer points every day without realizing that their destiny is in their hands. Africans will rather go to church and mosques to pray for manners to fall from heaven. The most selfish continent in the world adding no productive output and value to humanity. We have been praying for decades yet our level of development cannot match countries with less religiosity and natural resources. We import everything and yet get angry when the west tells us to marry same gender. China is the largest economy right now and the factory of the world. The reason why their government is clamping down on religion and encouraging research in science and technology. No western nations dare dictate or enforce their beliefs on china because they liberated themselves economically. Instead of the brain dead leaders in Abuja to sponsor and encourage research in science and technology, they will rather spend billions of naira on pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia and Israel while the gullible masses continue to lavish in poverty and under-development. Africa is a cursed continent filled with greedy and mentally lazy idiots parading as political and religious leaders

We are science students already

Life is in stages...4th to comment ever since i joined NL abt a yr ago. Wel, u may see it as nothin but tk ur tym 2 check d number of members here....thousands upon thousands. I knw soonest wit commitment,...i wil gt dat numba 1 spot. Wel, I dedicate dis achievement 2 my kids,....D Sky wil be der starting point.

If u don't lyk it **argue wit ur eyelashes**

Im proud to be a scientist...�...

Nice one.
But religion would not allow Nigerians treasure science respect or accomodate its views of things.

The best way is to teach science with vernacular .

ask china

U mean science student

isoright o

Platony:
Life is in stages...4th to comment ever since i joined NL abt a yr ago. Wel, u may see it as nothin but tk ur tym 2 check d number of members here....thousands upon thousands. I knw soonest wit commitment,...i wil gt dat numba 1 spot. Wel, I dedicate dis achievement 2 my kids,....D Sky wil be der starting point.

If u don't lyk it **argue wit ur eyelashes**

I guess you are not using glo if not making front page would have been an impossible thing because glo is slower than injured snail

i congratulate you on this one

Nigerians will rather pray to God than get down to work. Thats the OS installed in us.

AmazonTopaz:
Nice one.
But religion would not allow Nigerians treasure science.

Awa Omo science students!!!

GLeesMODEL:
By Nkechi Isaac, Abuja
 
Despite the uncertainty caused by the influx of members of the Shiite sect into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, science supporters in Nigeria trooped out in their numbers to join more than 1 million people in over 600 locations across the world to march in support of science.
 
Enthusiastic science lovers made up of scientists, farmers, civil society groups, lawyers and journalists took to the streets in Abuja to stand up for science and sensitise Nigerians on the importance of science and its role in the overall socio-economic development of the nation.
 
The science enthusiasts spoke with one voice and had a unified message which was their belief in science as a game-changer that can jump-start rapid development and revolutionalise all sectors of the economy with emphasis on the health, and the development of vaccines; environment, and the potential to tackle climate change; agriculture, and the potentials of adopting and applying scientific tools such as biotechnology in revolutionising the sector and enhancing food security.
 
The Nigeria March for Science 2018, themed, “Science and technology: An agent for economic development” was organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology; the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA); the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) in Africa, Nigeria Chapter and the Cornell Alliance for Science (CALS).
 
Welcoming participants, the overseeing director-general of NABDA, Mr Abayomi Oguntunde, said the rally sought to create awareness and sensitise the populace on the many ways science serves our communities and our world, as well as to encourage the public to value science, treasure science, respect science, invest in science, appreciate and engage with science.  
 
Oguntunde said: “The life of everyone of us is highly dependent on scientific inventions, innovations and modern-day technologies. Science has changed the lives of people largely which as we all know, have been deployed to every aspect of modernization and in sectors like agriculture, medicine, environment, education, industry, electricity, aviation, information, etc for both developing and developed nations. Modern science in Nigeria is awakened by the continuous and hard efforts of the outstanding scientists and researchers who attempt scientific advances of highest international calibre.
 
“Just like other scientists across the world, Nigerian scientists have developed various scientific tools that can help in the area of food security, combating climate change which the public have not been fully aware of. This march for science therefore, has provided yet another opportunity for science supporters to come together, join voices to amplify available science-based solutions the nation can adopt to ensure food security.”
 
According to him, “At the current population of over 180 million people and projected population of 400 million people by 2050, Nigeria is faced with the risk of decreased farming population due to age; decreased arable land; poverty; malnutrition and hunger because conventional method of agriculture can no longer meet up with our demand. Science holds the solution to our food security.”
 
Oguntunde represented by the agency’s chief scientific officer, Mr Osino Christian, restated that science is revolutionary and holds the key to constant improvement for addressing climate change, food shortage and challenges in medicine.
 
Earlier, the OFAB Nigeria chapter's country coordinator, Dr Rose Gidado, listed the goals of the march to include humanizing science as science is first a human process, saying Nigerians viewed science as abstract and did not know there are scientists in Nigeria; support scientists by speaking up for them and amplifying their voices; and partner with the public, by engaging the communities in the research process.
 
She said the objectives of the march were to build capacity, gain publicity, and demonstrate strength and solidarity in science to decision-makers; reemphasise the role of science in national development; create an open, honest science communication and inclusive public outreach; and affirm science as a democratic value, describing it as a vital feature of a working democracy.
 
Gidado empahsised that the sensitization would not end with the march, pointing out that the agency would continually engage the public and sensitise them on the enormous potentials available in science all year round.
 
In his message, Nigeria’s Science Ambassador, and Nollywood superstar, Paul Obazele, said science is not fiction and likened it to what is done in the movie world, pointing out that it goes through laid down processes to a logical conclusion. He stressed the need for enhanced public awareness drive and sensitization of science and its potentials, adding most Nigerians are ignorant of science and the amazing potentials it holds for revolutionising the nation.
 
Giving reasons behind their staunch support and active participation in the march, farmers under the aegis of All Famers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) said the work of scientists in the lab, has the potential to change the fortune of farmers.
 
AFAN's vice president, Chief Daniel Okafor, said: “Scientists cannot do their work without the farmers, farmers must be involved because they are direct beneficiaries of biotechnology. For instance, when you go to countries like Brazil, Argentina, South Africa and Argentina, famers are in the forefront of agricultural biotechnology. Biotechnology has the potential to lift farmers.”
 
He also urged government to fund science so scientists and researchers could come up with more research breakthrough that can positively affect the populace and the entire nation invariably.


http://www.abujapress.com/2018/04/why-nigerians-must-treasure-science.html?m=1

it is too late

Nigeria govt plays politics with everything

slawomir:
isoright o



I guess you are not using glo if not making front page would have been an impossible thing because glo is slower than injured snail

i congratulate you on this one

Nah,....i use MTN wit UC browser. Na fly e dey fly....

we do cherish science even technology included but our country's state doesnt support us science students

Purewatermeji:
If this were to be a religious gathering every where will be filled to brim with empty headed worshipers repeating the same prayer points every day without realizing that their destiny is in their hands. Africans will rather go to church and mosques to pray for manners to fall from heaven. The most selfish continent in the world adding no productive output and value to humanity. We have been praying for decades yet our level of development cannot match countries with less religiosity and natural resources. We import everything and yet get angry when the west tells us to marry same gender. China is the largest economy right now and the factory of the world. The reason why their government is clamping down on religion and encourage research in science and technology. No western nations dare dictate or enforce their beliefs on china because they liberated themselves economically. Instead of the empty headed leaders in Abuja to sponsor and encourage research in science and technology, they will rather spend billions of naira on pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia and Israel while the gullible masses continue to lavish in poverty and under-development. Africa is a cursed continent filled with greedy and mentally lazy idiots parading as political and religious leaders

In fact, you took these words off my mouth. How many science research institutes do we have in Nigeria and what percentage of them is even functioning? While the whole world is gradually drifting away from this traditional energy sources, do we even have a nuclear reactor in Nigeria at all? What's more disheartening is the lackadaisical attitude of Nigerian youths towards anything science.

sureteeboy:

In fact, you took these words off my mouth. How many science research institutes do we have in Nigeria and what percentage of them is even functioning? While the whole world is gradually drifting away from this traditional energy sources, do we even have a nuclear reactor in Nigeria at all? What's more disheartening is the lackadaisical attitude of Nigerian youths towards anything science.

If this were to be a political thread or bb naija it would gather traffic and several pages. Youth minds are occupied with distractions while clueless leaders have a field day in Abuja looting the country blind.

Nice to hear people are picking up the message of science which I've been crying out loud for years. Indeed, science is the solid way to development. Everything they need to have us get to our destination is all in this book https://www.nairaland.com/4414444/intellectual-slavery-worst-legacy-colonialism

Science is the way forward.
Science has always been the truth and always the closest thing to the truth in this life. Every other thing na baseless story.
Science rocks!

Mankind got this far because of science.Science is the only way forward.
Science has always been the truth and always the closest thing to the truth in this life. Every other thing na baseless story.
Science rocks!

Omo science student
Nigerian government still don't get it that the world is changing daily.

Purewatermeji:



If this were to be a political thread or bb naija it would gather traffic and several pages. Youth minds are occupied with distractions while clueless leaders have a field day in Abuja looting the country blind.

See how the thread is empty.

The earlier you know there is no hope with most youths in this country the better.

Good one science is good..and emphasis shd rest on a better structured society..... Our education shd be very much functional...to solving problems....our schools shd have decent standards

Platony:
Life is in stages...4th to comment ever since i joined NL abt a yr ago. Wel, u may see it as nothin but tk ur tym 2 check d number of members here....thousands upon thousands. I knw soonest wit commitment,...i wil gt dat numba 1 spot. Wel, I dedicate dis achievement 2 my kids,....D Sky wil be der starting point.

If u don't lyk it **argue wit ur eyelashes**

walai, you really made my day. Boredom had taken over my soul in the library already. Thanks for the liberation.

Purewatermeji:
If this were to be a religious gathering every where will be filled to brim with empty headed worshipers repeating the same prayer points every day without realizing that their destiny is in their hands. Africans will rather go to church and mosques to pray for manners to fall from heaven. The most selfish continent in the world adding no productive output and value to humanity. We have been praying for decades yet our level of development cannot match countries with less religiosity and natural resources. We import everything and yet get angry when the west tells us to marry same gender. China is the largest economy right now and the factory of the world. The reason why their government is clamping down on religion and encouraging research in science and technology. No western nations dare dictate or enforce their beliefs on china because they liberated themselves economically. Instead of the brain dead leaders in Abuja to sponsor and encourage research in science and technology, they will rather spend billions of naira on pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia and Israel while the gullible masses continue to lavish in poverty and under-development. Africa is a cursed continent filled with greedy and mentally lazy idiots parading as political and religious leaders

In what little way have you contributed to science and technology around you?

Science is a detailed mastery of God's creation.
But because it's based on experimenting,
It's unending.

BBNaija is unscientific.
It should be banned.

Who will teach the science when most of our lecturers are after the money.

Atheists think foolishly that they love science than we do.

If you read my Facebook posts you'll find how I've tried to guide friends to trace Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury this month.

I've written many scientific songs used only by my students and me,
Thus we have a long-lasting mastery of some science formulas.

I have personal songs to keep in mind identities in differential calculus.

A song on evolution and genetics will soon be done. I've the music already.

Why do I do these?
Because I don't believe God put me in this world to be ordinary, or worse still inferior.

I've studied and had diverse infirmities.
One of which is expressionless for words.

I still spent about an hour studying the Bible and praying this morning.

It's not like one owes atheists an explanation.
They themselves know that they are deluded.

science is temporary, science is evil, science has been the evil doing of man, and science is the only thing that has been keepinq we beings alive till this time. Science has corrupt and spoilt every mindset of we beings. Its Just Useless when it only works temporaryly.