… 6 of 24 notables make the finals

Days after a Nigerian lady made headlines following her appointment as a  minister in the United Kingdom, Nigerians are yet blazing a trail as six men and women have been recorded among 24 notable scientist in Africa for 2019.

The six specialists emerged in the Third Class of Next Einstein Forum (NEF) fellows that had 24 from the entire continent.

With six openings dominated by these experts, Nigeria completely leads the continental pack that featured about 14 countries.

All, under 42 years, have research and innovations that are contributing to solve Africa’s and the world’s most pressing challenges.

An initiative of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), the NEF will award the NEF Fellows at its NEF Global Gathering 2020 in Nairobi, Kenya on 10 March 2020, under the patronage of President Uhuru Kenyatta. The NEF Fellows will continue the tradition of presenting their groundbreaking research at the global gathering.

“I am excited to announce the 3rd class of NEF Fellows for two reasons. The first is that we are almost at parity, with 11 women in the class. The second is the variety of fields and countries from where the Fellows come from.

“The selected Fellows are doing cutting-edge research in renewable energy, nanomaterials and nanotechnology, food security, precision medicine, health systems, climate science and urban planning.

“Also a first for the Fellows cohort is the two social scientists selected in this class. We strongly believe their current and future discoveries will solve global challenges and we are excited to introduce you to them,” said Thierry Zomahoun, Founder and Chair of the Next Einstein Forum and President and CEO of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS).

NEF Fellows are selected by an International Scientific Program Committee, using a rigorous process that comprises academic and scientific merit, a strong publication record, patents, awards and a track record of funds independently raised for research.

Fellows are also required to demonstrate the relevance of their research or innovations to humanity’s grand challenges, as well as a passion for raising Africa’s scientific profile and inspiring the next generation of scientific leaders.

“We are tremendously pleased to welcome the new class to the growing NEF Community of Scientists, and the Thirty-five Fellows that preceded this cohort.

“This Class was selected in record timing because of the quality of their profiles and we look forward to their contributions to our foresight work and public engagement programs like Africa Science Week,” said Dr Youssef Travaly, Vice President of Science, Innovation and Partnerships.

The second class has been at the forefront of groundbreaking research in Blockchain for micro-credits, bioinformatics for improving agricultural outputs, non-invasive malaria detection among other innovations.

Several Fellows received million-dollar awards for their research. NEF Fellows lead the editing of the NEF’s Scientific African journal which is on its fourth volume since March 2018.

In recognition of their achievements and scientific excellence, three fellows have joined the NEF’s International Scientific Programme Committee.

Meet the 2019-2021 NEF Fellows

Dr. Badre Abdselam (Morocco) seeks to contribute to the design and implementation of regional policies on young scientists’ intentional mobility within Africa to optimize brain circulation.

Dr. Ademola Adenle (Nigeria) is leading research in science and technology policy in addressing sustainable development challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, energy and health innovation in Africa.

Dr. Fanelwa Ajayi (South Africa) seeks to develop various nanoparticles particularly with the use of edible substances, such as fruits and vegetables and finding additional applications for them.

Dr. Daniel Akinyele (Nigeria) is immersed in unveiling deeper insights into planning, developing and managing new electrification systems for energy-poor communities using the social-technical-economic-environmental-policy, or STEEP.

Dr. Zaheer Allam (Mauritius)investigates the dynamics shaping urban life in the Anthropocene to better build policies enhancing both livability and economic levels in future cities, set to host the majority of humans on earth.

Dr. Ibrahim Cissé (Niger) is interested in developing high-resolution methods of microscopy that go directly inside living cells, and single bio-molecules which could decode human genome from DNA into RNA.

Dr. Menattallah Elserafy (Egypt)studies DNA repair mechanisms, working to understand cellular processes which deciphered will change diagnostics and pave roads for personalized therapies.

Dr. Obidimma Ezezika (Nigeria) is studying processes that help contribute to developing new industrial models for effectively taking health interventions to scale in sub-Saharan Africa.

Dr. Jesse Gitaka (Kenya) works on malaria elimination, prompt diagnosis and management of sub-clinical maternal bacterial infections that eliminate stillbirths, prematurity, maternal and newborn sepsis and mortality.

Dr. Alpha Keita (Guinea) hopes to develop, together with his team in the Guinea and France, the reservoirs of viruses to better understand the natural history of Ebola virus spread.

Dr. Agnes Kiragga (Uganda) hopes to merge data science and machine learning methods to available “large data” and existing health records to predict and prevent HIV among high-risk groups in Africa.

Dr. Eric Lontchi (Cameroon)investigates ways of combating the burgeoning epidemic of obesity and diabetes, hoping to uncover new insights into the pathogenesis of and potential treatments for diabetes.

Dr. Salome Maswime (South Africa)leads a research initiative to scale up the implementation of the perinatal problem identification program model to four other healthcare systems in Africa.

Dr. Blesssing Mbabie (Nigeria) seeks to cover the real-time status of antimicrobial resistance and social factors that drive it, discovering natural drugs with high potential inhibitors of the antimicrobial resistance mechanism.

Dr. Ebele Mogo (Nigeria) is involved in research that aims to transform societal systems that recognize African contextual realities when designing healthy communities and preventing non-communicable diseases.

Dr. Vidushi Neergheen-Bhujun (Mauritius) is determined to connect the dots between the role of functional food and cancer prevention.

Dr. Marian Nkansah (Ghana) focuses on developing public knowledge on toxic chemicals from unusual places, and the associated risk on local communities, strengthening the intersection of scientific evidence and policy.

Dr. Eucharia Nwaichi (Nigeria) leads research projects that aim to find sustainable and safe sanitation strategies for the remediation of petroleum-impacted environments in the Niger Delta.

Dr. Cecil Ouma (Kenya) leverages current research on energy materials and associated technologies, with hope to innovate cheap and small-scale off-grid technologies for rural and peri-urban settlements in Africa.

Dr. Dyllon Randall (South Africa)hopes to change our modern sanitation systems to focus on resource recovery rather than mere treatment, moving communities to rethink “waste” as valuable resources.

Dr. Samson Rwahwire (Uganda) is using his knowledge of material science and nanotechnology to modify bitumen for road construction utilizing green nanoscience as a crosslinker for plastic waste.

Dr. Cheikh Sarr (Senegal) is interested in developing a prototype of a self-driven vehicle, equipped by a lot of sensors networks in order to facilitate the mobility of people with disabilities.

Dr. Geoffrey Siwo (Kenya) hopes to combine artificial intelligence with genetic data and scientific knowledge as a means of accelerating the discovery of fundamental principles that could enable equitable development of precision medicine.

Dr. Sara Suliman (Sudan), co-inventor of a four-gene biomarker, investigates why genes involved in electrolyte regulation across mammalian cell membranes might confer susceptibility to the world’s deadliest pathogen: Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Dr. Jessica Thorn (Namibia) uses social-ecological system modelling and participatory scenario planning to investigate and measure the impact of development corridors in land use, livelihoods, ecosystem, and social coherence.

BY PAUL TENTENA

Read more: https://punchng.com/6-things-to-know-about-nigerian-appointed-uk-minister-for-children-and-families/

… say trafficking in persons is not only a transnational but also a domestic issue.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on Tuesday reiterated its stance against Human Trafficking and Child Abuse. In an event at Abuja to commemorate the 2019 World Day Against Human Trafficking and Child Abuse with the theme ‘ CALL YOUR GOVERNMENT TO ACTION,’ the agency once again stirred hearts with its call on all to join hands with government to fight the evil of Human Trafficking and Child Abuse.

Participants at the well attended event were sensitized on the scourge of human trafficking globally and in Nigeria.  Top government officials and the diplomatic community were also engaged on the need to intensify efforts in eradicating human trafficking in Nigeria.

Members of the International Federation of Women Lawyer (FIDA) and several senior members of the bar were in attendance.

Earlier, the International Federation of Women Lawyer (FIDA), Abuja had issued a press statement warning that trafficking in persons and child abuse are grave Human Rights Violations that affects the family which is the core of the  society.

FIDA Abuja in the statement signed jointly by its Chairperson, Rekia Rachael Adejo-Andrew and Mojirayo Ogunlana-Nkanga, Public Relations Officer disclosed that children account for one third of the victims of human trafficking worldwide, while women and girls make up 80% of the global trafficking.

“Today the 30th day of July 2019 is the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons and Child Abuse.  The United Nation’s General Assembly by resolution A/RES/68/192, in 2013, designated this day as the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. This resolution declared that such a day was necessary to “raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights.”

“Trafficking in persons is the criminal exploitation of children, women and men for various purposes including forced labour, forced marriages, slavery and sexual exploitation. It is a crime frowned at under our Nigerian laws including the Constitution, Child’s Rights Act, Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP Act), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Act, Criminal and Penal codes, etc. Trafficking in persons and child abuse involves grave Human Rights Violations that affects the family which is the core of the Nigerian society. As a result of trafficking, immeasurable pain have been suffered by families. Some have experienced shame and stigma while others have been ridiculed from the impact of trafficking. Some victims of human trafficking have experienced devastating psychological effects during and after their trafficking experience. Many survivors end up experiencing post-traumatic stress, difficulty in relationships, depression, memory loss, anxiety, fear, guilt, shame, and other severe forms of mental trauma.

“One obvious fact is that trafficking in persons is a very lucrative business for its peddlers. It has been reported that millions of victims fall into the hands of traffickers lured by deceit and fake promises. This is the reality in Nigeria as victims in search of greener pastures have fallen prey to these predators, who majorly subject them to commercial sex exploitation and forced economic exploitation, including domestic work, agriculture and other economic activities.

“Trafficking in persons is not only a transnational issue but also a domestic one that has eaten deep into every strata of the Nigerian society. It was reported in the 2018 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime(UNODC) Global Report on Trafficking in Persons that trafficking happens all around us as the share of persons trafficked within their own country has doubled in recent years to 58 per cent of all detected victims. This has become a very big global issue hence a need to intensify steps in advocating and raising awareness against human trafficking and child abuse.

“Furthermore, In line with our core mandate of advocating for the welfare of women and children, FIDA (Nigeria) Abuja branch has been and remains a relevant stakeholder in advocating for the eradication of trafficking in persons and child abuse. We are aware that often times women and girls constitute a large number of the victims of this scourge.
In September 2015, the world adopted the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and embraced goals and targets on trafficking in persons. These goals call for an end to trafficking and violence against children; as well as the need for measures against human trafficking, and they strive for the elimination of all forms of violence against and exploitation of women and girls. Furthermore, according to the report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), children account for one third of the victims of human trafficking worldwide, and women and girls for some 80% of the global trafficking.

“All these are within our mandate as an organization and we stand out to condemn every form of trafficking, especially of women and children.

“This year, we join the world in commemorating this day and call the Nigerian government to action. It needs to do more to protect its citizens and take more proactive steps to eradicate poverty and unemployment. The state of the Nigerian economy has led a lot of its citizens to take detrimental steps to promote trafficking as it has been reported that most people willingly submit to exploitative relationships for economic reasons. Thus, it has a lot to do especially in the area of education, providing adequate support for its citizens and generally achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“We also call other stakeholders to action. FIDA (Nigeria) Abuja branch is committed to working with other stakeholders whether in Government, Nongovernmental, Civil society, Private sector, National and International, in executing projects to raise awareness against this heinous crime. FIDA (Nigeria) Abuja branch has been visibly and actively carrying out sensitization projects to schools to educate children on their rights and awareness against trafficking in persons and we are looking forward to continuing with this project especially to local communities and Internally displaced Persons (IDP) camps within Abuja, where such activities are prevalent.
“FIDA (Nigeria) Abuja branch stands against trafficking in persons (particularly women and children) and condemn very strongly every form of child abuse.
#HumanTrafficking
#EndHumanTrafficking

“Thank you.”

(Press statement) I commend and celebrate British Prime Minister, Mr. Boris Johnson, for appointing a British citizen of Nigerian heritage as a minister in his government. 

Your cabinet has a lot to teach the world. With an average age of 47, it is the UK’s youngest ever cabinet, and with over 25% minority representation, it is one of the world’s most diverse governments. It is also a gender balanced administration, with 24% female representation. Putting together such a well represented government is a testament to your ability to connect, include and unite. 

Like I said in both my private and public messages to you, I am confident that under your leadership, Anglo-Nigerian relationships will be greatly strengthened.

Let me also congratulate Mrs. Olukemi Olufunto Badenoch on her appointment as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families. I have repeatedly said that Nigerians, especially her youth, are natural leaders, with advanced intellect and abilities. I said this when I congratulated Kelechi (Kaycee) Madu on being made a minister in Canada and Mrs. Badenoch only corroborates my assertions. 

I urge Nigerians all over the world to note that global leaders acknowledge that we are hardworking people, with a community spirit that we take wherever we go. Nigerian youths are not lazy as is shown from these appointments, and I look forward to the day that we can show by our youth representation in Nigeria’s government, that they are as appreciated at home as they are abroad.

Atiku Abubakar 
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007

The Guardian (UK) had reported that Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, appointed Olukemi Olufunto Badenoch, aged 39, as Children and Families Minister, as part of his government reshuffle. Badenoch is a British Conservative politician and Member of Parliament (MP) for Saffron Walden.

She was born in Wimbledon, London to Nigerian parents. Her childhood was spent in Lagos and the United States. She moved to the United Kingdom at the age of 16. She has been the MP for Saffron Walden since 2017 after replacing Nadhim Zawahi.

She once told MPs in Parliament about her own experiences of poverty and how she used to do her homework by candlelight.

A software and IT engineer, Badenoch studied systems engineering at Sussex University and also has a law degree. She has worked in the banking sector for Coutts and RBS and is a mother of two.

Tweeting about her appointment, Badenoch @KemiBadenoch posted on 29 July: “Thank you for all good wishes and kind messages of support received. I also look forward to working not just with @Conservatives colleagues but cross-party and grateful for the warm welcome from @TracyBrabin and @Steve ReedMP who no doubt will be keeping me on my toes!”

The minister’s responsibilities include early years policy, including inspection and regulation. Her portfolio includes delivery of 30 hours free childcare offer, special educational needs including high needs funding, safeguarding in schools and disadvantaged pupils – including pupil premium and pupil premium plus.

In her 2017 maiden speech as MP, the daughter of a GP and a physiology professor, described the vote for Brexit as “the greatest ever vote of confidence in the project of the United Kingdom”.

(The Guardian)