ACS charges chemical scientists on embrace of Chemistry commercialization
By Imó Etim
The American Chemical Society, ACS, a non-profit, scientific organization and premier home of scientific professionals, on Monday commenced its 8th Symposium of the Annual American Chemical Society, Nigeria Chapter in Uyo.
The 4-day Symposium which is themed “Innovation in Chemical Sciences: From Discovery to Commercialization” commenced on Monday 4 – Thursday 8 June, 2023 at Watbridge Hotels and Suites, Uyo featured chemists and scientists from across the world and many parts of the country.
Prof. Joshua Obaleye, Chairman ACS Nigeria, in his welcome remarks appreciated God for His divine mercy upon individual members and for the opportunity to witness the event noting that despite the challenging situation facing the world today, an open window is still created for us by God to function as expected.
Prof. Obaleye referenced Prof. Javier García-Martínez, the President, International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry ( IUPAC), and all the delegates from IUPAC, adding that it marked the beginning of a partnership between IUPAC and ACS Nigeria Chapter.
The Professor of Chemistry, highlighted that this year’s event started with a pre-symposium event called “ Early Career Scientists and Students Workshop”, which was held virtually on May 30, 2023, to be followed by what he described as “harvest of intellectual discourse that will propel scientists to embrace enterprenuerial thinking In research commercialization.”
The keynote speaker, Prof. Javier García-Martínez from the University of Alicante, Spain, and the President International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry ( IUPAC), stressed the need for Chemistry entrepreneurship, adding that it was very okay for a chemical scientists to see themselves as entrepreneurs so as to explore the best ways to commercialization of chemical discoveries.
Special recognitions were given to outstanding contributors to the ACS in 3 categories namely; Distinguished Chemists, Education, and Industry categories.
Awardees under Distinguished Chemists category were; Prof. Kayode Adebowale, MNI, the Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan who was represented by Prof. Joshua Obaleye, Prof. Gabriel Ogunmola who is currently Chancellor and past board Chairman Board of Trustee Lead City University, Prof. Gloria Obuzor, President, Federation of African Societies of Chemistry (FASC), and the first female president of ACS Nigeria.
Other awardees were; Dr Iniobong Ogbonna, Senior QHSE Manager, Brass Petrochemical Company Limited, Victoria Island Lagos, Mrs Ekanem Ofoegbu who is the Manager, Planning and Commercial, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPCL) Port Harcourt.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo got awarded under the Education category while Jubilee Syringe Onna, and Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria got recognitions for their outstanding contributions towards the ACS Nigeria Chapter under the Industry category.
Goodwill messages from individuals including Prof. Marietjie Potgieter, Chair IUPAC Committee on Chemistry Education, Prof. Hamza Abba, President Science Association of Nigeria, Prof. Edu Inam, Chair-elect ACS Nigeria Chapter, and a host of others were witnessed.
The Local Organizing Committee Chair, Nnanake-Abasi Offiong PhD, noted that the Symposium was strategically planned to bring people together for the purpose of fostering innovation through collaborations, also appreciated the many sponsors for “sharing the vision of driving the future through meaningful engagements.”