REPORT OF THE 7TH ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL CHEMICAL SCIENCES CHAPTER
The 7th Annual Symposium of the American Chemical Society Nigeria International Chemical Sciences Chapter tagged ABUJA 2022 took place from 6th to 9th March 2022 at the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Maitama, Abuja. The symposium with the theme as ”Repositioning the Chemical Sciences for Tackling Emerging Threats to National Security” had about 300 participants in attendance. The participants included:
∙ Students (secondary, undergraduates and postgraduates)
∙ Early Career Academics/Researchers
∙ Senior Academics/Researchers
∙ Industrialists
∙ Chief Executives from Government and other agencies
Key Activities
The symposium included the following activities
∙ Opening ceremony
∙ Keynote and Plenary Lectures
∙ Presentation of ACS Nigeria Award of Recognition
∙ Early Career Talk
∙ Technical and Poster Sessions
∙ Cocktail
∙ Chemistry Festival
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony which took place on 7th March 2022 featured addresses by Prof. J. A. Obaleye, Chair, ACS Nigeria Chapter and the Chairman of the Ocassion, Professor Paul C. Onyenekwe, Director General/Chief Executive Officer (DG/CEO), Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO); a keynote lecture; Presentation of Awards and Goodwill messages. The Guests of Honour were Mr. Andrew Adejo, Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) and Prof. Olufemi Peters, Vice-Chancellor Open University of Nigeria, Abuja while Dr ,Ogbonnaya Onu, Honorable Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation was the Special Guest of Honour.
Keynote Lecture
The keynote Lecture entitled: Chemical Sciences and National Security: Chemical Proliferation, Prohibition and Protection was delivered by Ambassador Ayoola Olukanni, Immediate past DG, NACCIMA
Award of Recognition
The following people were of conferred with ACS Nigeria Award of Recognition for their contributions to the development of the Chemical Sciences.
1. Prof. H. D. Ibrahim, DG/CEO Raw Materials Research and Development Council.
2. Prof. Aliyu Jauro, DG/CEO, National Environmental Standards Regulations and Enforcement Agency.
3. Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, DG/CEO, National Biotechnology Development Agency 4. Dr. Mansur Liman, DG/CEO, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria
5. Chemist Wilford Jwalshik, Registrar, ICCON
6. Prof. Aliyu Shugaba, Vice Chancellor, University of Maiduguri
7. Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja
8. Prof. Sunday O. Okeniyi, Vice Chancellor, Atiba University
9. Prof. Ishaq Oloyode
10. Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Hon. Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation 11. Prince Arthur Eze, Chairman, Oranto Petroleum
Plenary Session
The following plenary papers were presented
1. Implications of Scientific Research in an Emerging Economy by Prof. Moses N. Chendo, President, Chemical Society of Nigeria
2. Chemical Security: Insights and Distinctions from Global Nuclear Security Efforts by Howard L. Hall
3. Food Sufficiency and Human Security in Nigeria: The Role of Biotechnology by Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha
Technical Sessions
There were three breakout rooms and a virtual session for the technical sessions. In total, 81 Physical Oral Presentations, 9 Postal Presentations and 18 Virtual Presentations.
Early Career Talk
An interactive early career paper titled: Step-by-Step guide to achieving a successful academic and research career was presented by Dr. Zainab Chellube, University of Maiduguri, Borno State
Chemistry Festival
The Chemistry Festival, which held on 8th March, 2022 was facilitated by Mr. Okeh Ochulo. The festival, with the theme: Light on Mystery’s Shadow, had 10 volunteers and 189 participants from Secondary schools students, undergraduate and Chemistry enthusiasts. 11 High Schools were in attendance. It featured: a stage drama Love Reaction 2: The Power of Bond by students of All Saints Schools, Abuja; Hands on activities/Experiment, Tech Exhibitions by selected schools and music performance by Spring Ville schools. The hands-on experiments included:
1. Elephant Toothpastes
2. Genie In The Bottle
3. The Mystery of Air Pressure
4. Monitoring Spirits
5. Disappearing Ink
6. How to ‘Unstink’ things
7. Perforated Ballon
8. Mystery of non-newtonian fluid
9. Eggcitment 1: Boiling Egg without Heating 2: The Secret of Anti-Cavity Agents
Collaborations/Support
The symposium was proudly supported by
1. National Biotechnology Development Agency, Abuja
2. National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja
3. Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Abuja
4. Agricultural Research and Development Council, Abuja
5. Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria
