By Justina Asishana
A Network to enhance communication between scientists and journalists in Nigeria, African Literacy Science Network has been launched Abuja.
Launched in Abuja on Wednesday, the network is an initiative of TReND in Africa in collaboration with the University of Sussex, Francis Crick Institute (London), Yerwa Express-News and Science Communication Hub Nigeria.
Seventy-four journalists and scientists were inducted as Fellows of the Network after a two-day workshop on Science Communication and Journalism.
The workshop covered various topics to educate and enlighten scientists and journalists on science communication including the perspective of a scientist and global challenges, evaluation of researches, accessing and interpreting scientific data, scientific publications, ethics of scientific reporting, Science journalism in Nigeria and science Communication and public engagement.
Facilitators at the workshop included Dr Amy Hogan from the University of Oxford, Dr Katy Petherick from the University of Sussex, Dr Mahmoud Bukar Maina of TReND in Africa, Dr Theophilus Abbah of Daily Trust Foundation and a Professor Pharmacology, Professor Isa Hussaini Matte.
At the launch of the Network, Professor Isa Hussaini Marte lamented the dearth of research in Nigeria and Africa stressing on the need for the government to provide more money into science and research.
“Science is what develops the whole world but in Nigeria, we do not know the value of Research and Development (R&D). Everyone in Nigeria is only interested in the finished product, no one is interested in research, no state or federal government not even TETFund.
“We have to put our house in order if we want to talk about science and research. Money needs to be pumped into research. If we want to do research, someone must come out with the money. Any country that does not prioritize research and development is doomed to fail,” he said.
Marte urged journalists to also place priority in science reportage stating that the collaboration between scientists and journalists needs to be strengthened in Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr Bitrus Bako Nabasu called on scientists not to keep their innovations to themselves or their laboratories and urged them to protect their innovations to the World.
“Scientists need to be encouraged to enclose their findings to the public. African scientists need to comprehend the central role of science and communication in societal development.”
TReND Outreach Director, Mahmoud Bukar Maina said that a partnership between scientists and journalists will help in addressing the misconceptions about science in Nigeria which is affecting the livelihood and the potentials of Nigeria in science and technology.
