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NLNG presents $100,000 cash prizes to 2017 literature, science winners

By Omiko Awa
11 February 2018   |   4:28 am
Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limited, at a public presentation last week in Lagos, formally presented The Nigeria Prize for Literature and The Nigeria Prize for Science, which come with a cash prize of $100,000 each, to four winning entries that emerged from the 2017 cycle.

Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limited, at a public presentation last week in Lagos, formally presented The Nigeria Prize for Literature and The Nigeria Prize for Science, which come with a cash prize of $100,000 each, to four winning entries that emerged from the 2017 cycle.

Author of the winning entry for The Nigeria Prize for Literature, The Heresiad, Ikeogu Oke, was awarded a $100, 000 cheque, while joint science prize winners Ikeoluwapo Ajayi, Ayodele Jegede, Bidemi Yusuf, Olugbenga Mokuolu and Chukwuma Agubata were awarded the Nigeria Prize for Science, with a cash prize of $100,000, split evenly.

The science prize sought to find solutions to malaria through its theme for 2017, Innovations In Malaria Control. The joint winning entries for the science prize were “Improving Home and Community Management of Malaria: Providing the Evidence Base” by Ikeoluwapo Ajayi, Ayodele Jegede and Bidemi Yusuf; “Multifaceted Efforts at Malaria Control in Research: Management of Malaria of Various Grades and Mapping Artemisinin Resistance” by Olugbenga Mokuolu; and “Novel lipid microparticles for effective delivery of Artemether antimalarial drug using a locally-sourced Irvingia fat from nuts of Irvingia gabonensis var excelsa (ogbono)” by Chukwuma Agubata.

The 2017 cycle of the science prize ended a seven-year drought of winners. There had been no winner since 2010.Tony Attah, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, in his keynote remarks said: “The question is often asked, why Nigeria LNG Limited chose to honour writers and scientists, despite its huge basket of Corporate Social Responsibility programmes that include the provision of roads, light, water and wide-ranging education intervention scholarship schemes.

“Our answer is very simple. No business can exist in isolation and be sustainable. Just like the adage says, “If you want to go fast; go alone, but if you want to go far; go together.” And for Nigeria LNG Limited, as a company, we have chosen to walk together with Nigeria.“In Nigeria, we have the intellectual capability, we also have the resources; what we need is the will, and together we can all continue to progress the reputation of Nigeria in these spaces,” he added.

The Deputy Managing Director, Sadeeq Mai-Bornu noted that Nigerian scientists have continued to demonstrate that they can defend their space against the best anywhere in the world, adding that NLNG looks forward getting more entries to provide solutions to issues classified as Nigerian problems in our subsequent competitions.He announced that 2018 literature competition would be on drama, while the science prize theme is ‘Innovations in Electric Power Solutions.’

Accepting the award for Literature, Oke, said: “In a world in which we do not always get what we deserve, and fortune does not always favour the most qualified or hardworking, I think we should all feel humble and appreciative for any success we achieve. This, besides happy, is how I feel as the recipient of this honour. To Nigeria LNG Limited, the members of the Advisory Board of the Nigeria Prize for Literature and the award-giving judges, I say, “An award-winning poet salutes you!”

The winners of the science prize also commended NLNG for instituting the prize and urged the academia and innovations to have more interest on the prize to showcase Nigeria’s talent.The Nigeria Prize for Literature has since 2004 rewarded eminent writers such as Abubakar Adam Ibrahim (2016, Prose), Sam Ukala (2014; Drama), Tade Ipadeola (2013; Poetry), Chika Unigwe (2012, Prose), Adeleke Adeyemi (2011, children’s literature).

Others are Esiaba Irobi (2010, Drama) who clinched the prize posthumously; Kaine Agary (2008, Prose); Mabel Segun (co-winner, 2007, children’s literature); Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo (co-winner, 2007, children’s literature); Ahmed Yerima (2006, Drama); Gabriel Okara (co-winner, 2005, Poetry) and Professor Ezenwa Ohaeto (co-winner, 2005, Poetry).

The Nigeria Prize for Science has also been awarded to science laureates such as Professor Akii Ibhadode (2010); the late Professor Andrew Nok (2009); Dr. Ebenezer Meshida (2008); Professor Michael Adikwu (2006); and joint winners Professor Akpoveta Susu and his then doctoral student, Kingsley Abhulimen (2004).

To grace the occasion were the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Oluseye Adedeji; the Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, represented by Dr Julie Momah; Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, represented by Mrs Elizabeth Ibezim; the Obi of Onitsha, HRH Nnaemeka Achebe; Egbere Emere Okori 1 Eleme, HRH Appolus Chu; paramount ruler of Ondo Kingdom, HRM, Oba Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo Jilo III; members of the NLNG Board of Directors; members of the diplomatic corps; members of the Advisory Board for Literature and Science; members of the panel of judges for both prizes; the media; the academia and guests from the Nigerian literary community and secondary schools in Lagos

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