Inculcating the Tenets of Great Scientists in Grand Launch

Very successful was the formal launch and public presentation of the book: Inculcating the Tenets of Great Scientists, authored by Chigozie Ubani, a young Nigerian scientist championing a cause in science popularization and education. The book-launch which held in Chelsea Hotel, Wuse II Abuja, on Wednesday 31 October, 2012 had in attendance men of science and technology and that of education. This event which was chaired by Engr. (Dr.) Solomon Nyagba, President Abuja Chamber of Commerce, began at exactly 11am in the morning with the opening prayers from students of FCT –Secondary Education Board.

AN ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF EDUCATION, PROF. (MRS.) RUQAYYATU RUFA’I, OON ON THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE BOOK: INCULCATING THE TENETS OF GREAT SCIENTISTS; ON WEDNESDAY 31ST OCTOBER, 2012 AT CHELSEA HOTEL, ADETOKUNBO ADEMOLA CRESCENT, WUSE II, ABUJA.

PROTOCOL:

It gives me great pleasure to be with you and be part of the launch of the book “INCULCATING THE TENETS OF GREAT SCIENTISTS”, authored by Mr. Chigozie Ubani, a young Nigerian Scientist who is also championing a cause in popularization and education of science in Nigeria.

The book is the author’s effort in motivating and inspiring our young people towards pursuing careers in Science, Technology and Mathematics (STM). It encapsulates the STM principles, concepts and conventions that made great scientists to stand out as much better than their peers.

Comments about the Book: Inculcating the Tenets of Great Scientists

The best way of becoming a great scientist is by knowing how the world’s great scientists achieved greatness. This book therefore offers an impressive and comprehensive account of principles and factors that make great scientists, alongside 

trials and tribulations. It contains brief biographies of many great scientists which will serve as an inspiration to beginners. It is indeed a resource material for all budding scientists, educators and scientists.

                            

Professor Amagh Nduka

Renowned Professor of Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics and Former Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (Nigeria)

Introducing the Book: Great Nigerian Scientists, being authored by Chigozie Ubani

Sequel to inadequate practice environment and poor funding of science in our institutions, many have assumed that Nigerian scientists do nothing. Many have asked, “Are there scientists in Nigeria?” Some have even labeled scientists in Nigeria as theoretical experts, whose duties are to copy and paraphrase the works of their Western counterparts. In this light, I make bold to say that despite plagues bedeviling science development in this nation, many Nigerians have made outstanding contributions to the store of scientific knowledge. Many of them, have in many ways asserted their equality (if not superiority) to their counterparts in the developed world.
The great Zik of Africa, Chief (Dr.) Nnamdi Azikiwe, in one of his usual intellectual emancipation lecture of the Africa race said, “There is no achievement physical or intellectual, which is possible for human beings that is not possible to Africans”. This statement has indeed been proven by the works of many Nigerian scientists in their fields of sciences.

Linking Great Nigerian Scientists to Nigeria’s Centenary Celebration

We are yet in another historic moment! Our dear nation, Nigeria, is already agog with its centenary celebration. We are celebrating 100 years of our existence as a nation. This celebration, marking the January 1914 amalgamation of the Southern and Northern Protectorate by the then Governor-General, Lord Lugard, is one epoch that will remain green in the history and antecedents of this great nation.

But much more in the history of any nation is the change that has taken place in the life of its citizens. These changes are historic and are expressions and direct consequence of intellectual development – a new manner of thinking, a new way of seeing the world – inevitably brings about the changes in man’s activity (even in his everyday life).

Our Mission in Global Science Development Initiatives

It is a well known fact that science education and practice has plunged to an appalling state in our nation. Many are no longer interested in science, as there are no incentives to enhance productivity and learning. There has also not been adequate government funding and priority necessary for science development, thereby leaving the nation bereft of the economic development derivable through the vehicle of science. Worse still, young and budding scientists are left to study science without motivation and encouragement, thereby proliferating poor performances. These difficulties among others have helped to point science education in Nigeria in downward trajectory.