Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has attracted global attention with a record-breaking number of entries for the 2023 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Science.
The prestigious prize, valued at $100,000, has received an impressive total of 100 submissions from around the world.
This year, the theme of the competition is “Innovation for Enhancement of Healthcare Therapy,” as determined by the Advisory Board of the Prize.
The announcement of the significant number of entries was made in Lagos during a ceremony where the submissions were officially handed over to the judges for the commencement of the adjudication process.
Mr. Andy Odeh, NLNG’s General Manager for External Relations and Sustainable Development, was represented by Godson Dienye, the Manager of Government Relations, who delivered the entries to the Chair of the Prize’s Advisory Board, Professor Barth Nnaji. Professor Nnaji then proceeded to hand over the entries to the panel of judges.
Leading the panel of judges is Professor Joseph Ahaneku, a distinguished scholar in the field of Chemical Pathology at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State.
Notably, Professor Ahaneku has been honored as the first black and African scientist to receive the Science and Technology Agency (STA) of Japan Foreign Researcher of the Year award under Japan’s Research Development Cooperation (RDC).
He holds key positions such as membership in the Executive Council of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Chairmanship of the Basic Clinical Science section of the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria, and Vice-Presidency of the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria.
Joining Professor Ahaneku on the esteemed panel are Professor Olaitan Alice Soyannwo and Professor Abdullahi A. Abba.
Professor Soyannwo is a distinguished expert in the field of Anaesthesia, particularly known for her remarkable contributions to effective pain management.
She served as a member of the National Cancer Consultative Committee, which played a vital role in drafting the first National cancer guidelines with a focus on palliative care in 2007. Additionally, she is a pioneer member of the board of trustees of the Hospice and Palliative Care Association, Nigeria (HPCAN), and the founder of the non-profit organization Centre for Palliative Care Nigeria (CPCN). Her collaboration with the University College Hospital, Ibadan, resulted in the establishment of Nigeria’s first palliative care unit at a tertiary institution.
Professor Abdullahi A. Abba, a distinguished figure in Medicine and Pulmonology, holds the position of Chief Consultant Physician at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria.
With a strong background in academia, Professor Abba has contributed significantly to medical education, having been a founding member of the Department of Medicine at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
He has also served as an Associate Professor at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and headed the largest Clinical Teaching Unit in the Middle East at King Saud Medical City.
Commenting on the remarkable number of entries received for the 2023 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Science, Mr. Andy Odeh highlighted the alignment of this year’s theme with the Company’s health-focused initiatives.
NLNG has been actively involved in health projects, including interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Hospital Support Programme aimed at enhancing capacity in 12 teaching hospitals across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
Mr. Odeh emphasized the vital role of science and technology in addressing healthcare challenges and expressed confidence that the Prize would inspire further innovation and contribute to better healthcare outcomes.
In his address, Professor Barth Nnaji expressed the Advisory Board’s excitement at the impressive entries received from exceptional minds within and beyond Nigeria. He emphasized the potential of the competition to drive improvements in the country’s healthcare system. Professor Nnaji acknowledged the growing confidence and trust in the selection and judgement protocols of the Prize, which has led to increased popularity among Nigerian scientists and a surge in innovation efforts.
“The Nigeria LNG team deserves great recognition for their commitment to excellence in the administration of this prize. The substantial resources invested by the company, far beyond the prize money itself, demonstrate their unwavering dedication to the development of our country. The pursuit of science and innovation is essential for our national progress, and it takes a forward-looking company like NLNG to recognize this and sustain it with pride and confidence,” Professor Nnaji stated.
The Advisory Board of The Nigeria Prize for Science also includes Chief Dr. Nike Akande, a distinguished two-time minister and former President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as Professor Yusuf Abubakar, a renowned expert in Animal Breeding and Quantitative Genetics. Professor Abubakar currently serves as the Coordinator of the Agriculture Group in the R&D Standing Committee of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
