Science Nigeria Lectures 2017: Wednesday July 12, 2017 at the University of Abuja

The intellectual community and the general public are hereby invited to the lecture no.1 of the Science Nigeria Lectures 2017 which comes under the distinguished chairmanship of His Excellency, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, and holds Wednesday July 12, 2017 at the Management Science Hall, University of Abuja, by 10am prompt.

The Science Nigeria Lectures is an effort towards not only promoting the works and contributions of Nigerian scientists, but also in interfacing them with the Nigerian public. The lecture strives to promote public understanding of science, inculcate the much-needed scientific culture in the lives of Nigerians, and at the same time, generate and sustain interest in the sciences in public domain. Through these lectures, many become aware of the exploits of Nigerian scientists in the global scientific arena. Again, through these lectures, many young people in the Nigerian society become not only inspired in pursuing careers sciences, but also in making enduring contributions in them.

The Science Nigeria Lectures is also another way of celebrating Nigerian scientists who have had a minimum of 50 years of outstanding research contributions in the sciences, and as such, making them stand as role models for generations following. It is a way in which these distinguished scientists give to science and the society at large, the benefits of their experience and impressions. It is indeed a celebratory intellectual harvest.

Brief Citation of Professor Aderemi Oluyomi Kuku: The Oracle for the Science Nigeria Lectures 2017

Our great oracle for the Science Nigeria Lectures

Professor Aderemi Oluyomi Kuku

2017 is no other than Professor Aderemi Oluyomi Kuku, one of Africa’s finest in Mathematics and the current President of the African Academy of Sciences (the highest science academy in the whole of Africa). He is also a Distinguished Professor of Mathematics at the National Mathematical Centre, Abuja, and was, at one time, the William W. S. Clayton Endowed Professor of Mathematics at Grambling State University, Louisiana, USA.

Born March 20 1941 in Ijebu-Ode (Ogun State), he attended St. James School (Oke-Odan, Ogun State) and Eko Boys High School (Lagos) for both primary and secondary school education respectively, and later proceeded to the University of London (Makerere University College), where he obtained B.Sc. (Special Honours) in Mathematics in 1965. He was also to obtain M.Sc. (1968) and Ph.D. (1971) in Mathematics from the University of Ibadan, with his Ph.D. thesis written in Columbia University (New York), under the supervision of legendary mathematician, Professor Hyman Bass.

Science Nigeria Lectures 2017: Taking Science a Hundred Years Ahead

It is given unto a few men to know what the future holds in all disciplines. So also it is in science. Many distinguished scientists in the early 20^th Century, in their far-sighted wisdom and knowledge, made prognostications of possible future breakthroughs in their domain. The result of this was the endless chains of fruitful research directions and a plethora of mind-blowing scientific advances. This is indeed a task the Science Nigeria Lectures 2017 has taken upon itself: to picture what would be of science and the world at large in the next century.

The Science Nigeria Lectures is essentially an effort towards not only promoting the works and contributions of Nigerian scientists, but also in interfacing them with the Nigerian public. The lecture also strives to inculcate the much-needed scientific culture in the lives of Nigerians, and at the same time, generate and sustain interest in the sciences in public domain. Through these lectures, many become aware of the exploits of Nigerian scientists in the global scientific arena.

Exploring the Success Secret of one of Africa’s Finest in Mathematics – Professor Aderemi Kuku

Professor Aderemi Oluyomi Kuku is a world-renowned Professor of Mathematics and the current President of the African Academy of Sciences. He is a Distinguished Professor of Mathematics at the National Mathematical Centre, Abuja, and was, at one time, the William W. S. Clayton Endowed Professor of Mathematics at Grambling State University, Louisiana, USA.

Professor Kuku began his teaching career at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, 1965) before transferring to the University of Ibadan, where he became a full Professor of Mathematics in 1982. And after 28 years of illustrious career at Ibadan, he was a Professor of Mathematics at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy (1995-2003). His research and administrative experiences include: Sub-Dean Postgraduate, Faculty of Science and Chairman, Committee of Sub-Deans Postgraduate, University of Ibadan (1978-80); Head, Department of Mathematics, University of Ibadan (1983-1986); Dean, Post-graduate School, University of Ibadan (1987-1990); Foundation Chairman, Committee of Deans of Post-graduate Schools in Nigerian Universities (1987-90); President, African Mathematical Union (1986-1995); Member, Institute of Advanced Study (IAS) Princeton, New Jersey, USA (2003-4); Visiting Research Professor, Mathematical Science Research Institute (MSRI) Berkeley, California, USA (1992 & 2004); Visiting Professor, Cornell University Ithaca, New York, USA (1993); Distinguished Visiting Professor, Miami University Oxford, OHIO,  USA (2005-6); Visiting Professor, Howard University, Washington DC, USA (1994); Visiting Professor, Max Planck Institute for Mathematics, Bonn, Germany (1994 & 2007); Visiting Professor, Ohio State University Columbus, OHIO, USA (2005); Visiting Professor, IHES, Paris, France (2006), and a host of others.

Learning from the Masters

(An editorial in the September-December 2016 edition of the magazine: The Budding Scientist – Grooming Successors in Science, Mathematics and Engineering)

The time of tutelage is a critical time in the life of any student. It is the time the student is expected to learn and imbibe some of the cardinal principles needed for effective participation in his/her chosen career. But how well a student learns is dependent on the tutor. Also, how distinguished the student becomes in future is dependent on who taught him.

It is written in the Holy Bible that a servant cannot be greater than the master (at least, not when he is still a servant). In other words, the quality of the master determines, to a large extent, what the servant would become. Like must beget like! And a lion must give birth to a lion. Even with the mind-blowing advances in biotechnology and genetic engineering, this fundamental law of nature is yet to be faulted. Or have you seen a lizard giving birth to an alligator?

Leading the 21st Century Intellectual Revolution

(An editorial in the January-April 2016 edition of the magazine: The Budding Scientist – Grooming Successors in Science, Mathematics and Engineering)

A glance at the present era will convince us that science makes history, and that the growth of knowledge is a compelling force in historical events. The historical changes in the life of man are expressions and consequences of intellectual development – a new manner of thinking, a new way of seeing the world – inevitably bring about the changes in man's activity (even in his everyday life).

The western intellectual tradition, no doubt, has seen a lot of these changes. Was it not believed that the basic essences of the universe (matter) are earth, water, air,

and fire? These Aristotelian elements were accepted as the building block of matter for over 2000 years. Meanwhile, within these periods, Democritus, a solitary thinker, regarded as a madman by his neighbours and fellow citizens, had developed the idea of the atom as the building block of matter. But this saw no light of the day until the English chemist and meteorologist, John Dalton, came with his atomic postulates in 1803.

The Budding Scientist, vol. 2, no. 2

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Giving Honour to Whom it is Due: Science Nigeria Lectures 2015

It was a matter of who is who in the Nigerian scientific firmament and the intellectual community in general as members of the public, scientists, educationists, students and students-alike gather for the maiden edition of the Science Nigeria Lectures which held Wednesday June 17, 2015 at the ETF Hall, University of Abuja. This event, which turned a huge success, had Professor Amagh Nduka, world renowned Professor of Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics, and Former Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, as the guest lecturer.

Dignitaries that graced the occasion include: the chairman of the occasion, Professor Peter Okebukola, who was represented by Professor Wilson Herbert of Bingham University, Nasarawa State; the host and of course, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Michael U. Adikwu, represented by his Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics,

Proceedings of the Science Nigeria Lectures 2015

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Science Nigeria Lectures: Promoting the Works and Contributions of Nigerian Scientists

There is no gainsaying the fact that there is insufficient conversation between Nigerian scientists and the public, and, as a result, some people have asked, “Is science being studied in Nigeria?” “Are there scientists in Nigeria?” A thousand and one of these

The Budding Scientist, vol. 2, no. 1

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A Brief Pictorial Report

On the

Abuja Science, Technology and Innovation Promotion Confab for Young and Aspiring Scientists 2015

Held

Tuesday November 17, 2015

At the

Abuja Chamber of Commerce Hall, Along Airport Road, Abuja

Summary

With over 350 participants (from 22 Government 

L –R: Dr. (Mrs) Jane Bassey (representing Dr. H.D. Ibrahim, DG, RMRDC); 

Alh. Isa Mekawa (representing Engr Dr. Mohammed Jubrin, DG, NBTI);

Mr. Godwin Omeje (representing Prof. Lawrence Dim, DG, NNRA);

Chigozie Ubani (coordinator of the event), and Walter Uko (representing the

 Director, FCT Secondary Education Board) whiling singing the national anthem. 

Senior Secondary Schools, two Private Secondary School and one Federal Unity College in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja), the Abuja Science, Technology and Innovation Promotion Confab for Young and Aspiring Scientists 2015 held successfully Tuesday November 17, 2015 at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, along Airport Road, Abuja. This event, which began by 9.30am in the morning, had in attendance captains from the various science and technology research centres in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The dignitaries include: Professor (Mrs.) Lucy Ogbadu, the Director-General/CEO of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA);