Society Rewards 4 Scientists, Tasks Youths On Physical Science Careers

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences (NSPS) has honoured four scientists with Doctorate Degree (PhD) and a cash prize of N250,000 each, for their remarkable research strides in physical science.

It urged young academics to put more interest in physical science because there are lots of prospects in the field.

The President of NSPS, Dr Oladiran Abimbola, said this on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the ongoing second annual conference of NSPS in Ilorin, Kwara.

NSPS’s conference which is slated to hold from Feb. 1 to 4, collaborates with Kwara State University, Malete, under the theme “Physical Sciences: Current Trends and Modern Perspectives.”

The scientists included Dr Suleimon Abimbade, whose research was in the area of Mathematics and Statistics, Dr Eucharia Onyekwere, Computer Science, Dr Kehinde Omotesho, Physics section and Dr Abiodun Adeoye for Chemistry section.

Abimbola said physical science comprised of the five disciplines, which included Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science and Earth Sciences.

He said that the PhD reward was to encourage the scientists and motivate others for notable research outputs.

“These recipients demonstrated exceptional research prowess and innovation during their doctoral studies which reflects NSPS’s commitment to nurturing and celebrating emerging scholars in the field.”

Abimbola said that physical science field was evolving, while new areas were emerging which was changing the narrative in the area.

“Nigerians should show more interest in physical science because different fields are sprouting from the field of study, which have gone beyond the traditional way that people know about it.

“In physics there are interesting areas evolving and one of them is Quantum Computing, whereby you can work with lots of companies.

“We want young academics that they should put more interest in physical science because there are lots of prospects,” he said.

He added that efforts were being made to promote the study of some of the current emerging areas of physical science in Nigeria.

According to him, over the years, poor infrastructure and lack of standard laboratories has impeded the viability of physical science.

Dr Babatunde Falaye, Secretary of NSPS, said the conference provided the platform for members of the society to explore, discuss the trends that shape the present and future of the discipline.

“The world we live in is continuously propelling towards scientific discoveries and almost everything within the world is rooted in science.

“This conference is trying to explore some of these diverse areas, the technological trend, advancement recorded over the years especially by Nigerian Physical Scientists in areas of physical science.

“The conference is a platform to introduce some of these latest trends and introduce it to our people and we hope it will have positive impact especially for scientific discovery and innovations,” Falaye said.

Highlight of the event was the investiture of two scholars, Prof. Kayode Oyewumi and Prof. Oluwasesan Falaiye, both of the Department of Physics, University of Ilorin for significant impact in physical science.

NSPS is a non-profit, non-political organisation of physical scientists created to provide a platform for scholars, researchers and professionals to share knowledge for scientific growth. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Deji Abdulwahab