Lancaster don hails Nigerian, Ghanaian researchers for driving eco-innovation

Director and Principal Investigator, RECIRCULATE and ACTUATE, Lancaster University UK, Prof. Kirk Semple, yesterday, hailed the contributions of African researchers from Nigeria and Ghana in developing robust, durable and equitable partnerships with UK researchers towards addressing global challenges around safe and sustainable water use under her supervision.

Semple disclosed that Lancaster University is leading a groundbreaking project called RECIRCULATE in partnership with African researchers to address urgent need for safe and effective water use in Africa.

The Lancaster varsity don gave the commendation during the RECIRCULATE Project final meeting in Nigeria with the theme, “Celebrating the Success of a Multi-Institutional Collaborative Project” in Benin City, Edo State, with key stakeholders from the University of Benin (UNIBEN) led by the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami, in attendance.

Semple appreciated its research partners in Nigeria and Ghana for delivering appropriate solutions for Africa, particularly building on cutting-edge solutions towards addressing the global challenges around safe and sustainable water use.

He said the RECIRCULATE Project is a £6.8 million project funded by Research Councils UK through the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF).

According to him, GCRF is a five-year £1.5 billion fund and a key component in the delivery of the UK Aid Strategy aimed at tackling global challenges.

Semple added that the project supports new partnership-based approaches to enable African researchers to grow transformational impact through working with, in and for their communities and developing robust partnerships with UK researchers.

RECIRCULATE and ACTUATE Lead, Nigeria and Vice-Chancellor, Igbinedion University Okada (IUO), Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, described the project as landmark, noting that it had positively impacted communities in the country, particularly unveiling eco-friendly innovation in the area of sewage disposal to energy generation.

In her remark, Prof Lilian Salami said University of Benin was proud to identify with the researchers from Lancaster University, UK and her RECIRCULATE and ACTUATE Project, pledging more collaboration and partnership.