The Nigeria LNG Ltd. (NLNG), in partnership with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), on Wednesday held a presentation of the joint-winners of the 2022 Nigeria Prize for Science to industry players.
NLNG in a statement, the 2022 Nigeria Prize for Science is an effort to push agricultural innovations that can positively impact food security in Nigeria.
The winning works are Gains in Grain Yield of Released Maize (Zea Mays L.) Cultivated under Drought and Well-Watered Conditions by Dr Muhydideen Oyekunle and Professor Shehu Ado; and Development of Process Plant for Plantain Flour by Professor Sesan Peter Ayodeji and Dr Emmanuel Olatunji Olutomilola was made at an interactive business forum.
“Gains in Grain Yield of Released Maize (Zea Mays L.) Cultivated under Drought and Well-Watered Conditions,” speaks to developing hybrid, high-yielding and water stress-tolerant maize seeds.
Development of Process Plant for Plantain Flour, on the other hand, is an important innovation for reducing the spoilage of farm products, and resourceful in scaling up from batch production to industrial-scale continuous flour production and also relevant beyond plantain to other food items.
The winning works will split the $100,000 grand prize.
The General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, Andy Odeh, said the Prize’s focus on Food Security in 2022, is in alignment with Goal Two of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which seeks sustainable solutions to end hunger by 2030, and to achieve food security.
He said NLNG is interested in the impact the innovations would have on food security and socio-economic well-being of Nigerians, and is aware that it is not enough to have innovations without them impacting the society.
“Being a company committed to building a better Nigeria, NLNG is seeking ways to ensure that these improvements bring about positive developmental change in its home country,” he said.
Being a company committed to building a better Nigeria, NLNG is seeking ways to ensure that these improvements bring about positive developmental change in its home country.
The Chairman of the Prize’s Advisory Board, Prof. Barth Nnaji, said: “It is our strategic view that the Nigeria Prize for Science would bring to the fore investment networks and harmonisation efforts to support agriculture in Nigeria.”
Nnaji said the Nigeria Prize for Science is sponsored by NLNG to promote innovations in science and technology that would solve age-long problems and drive development in Nigeria.
Also, the LCCI President, Michael Olawale-Cole, said there is no better time to gather on food security as threats of destructive flooding and droughts face the country due to climate change than now when Nigeria is grappling with surging food inflation at 23.75% which has been the main driver of Nigeria’s high headline inflation at 21.34%.
“The awardees we celebrate today have distinguished themselves with a show of unrivalled intellectual capacity that has led to innovative discoveries in agriculture and food security.
“In the face of threatening weather conditions, we need new methods, tools, and infrastructure to cope with emerging challenges in agriculture.
“We celebrate the winners of the NLNG 2022 Nigeria Prize for Science, and we say congratulations to the awardees,” he said.
Olawale-Cole said the Chamber has consistently collaborated with reputable institutions like the NLNG to promote programmes that enhance the business environment, citizens’ welfare and stability in the economy.
