By Joy Odor
To redefine Africa’s approach to science, harnessed its potential to drive development and shape its future, many scientists across the world will gather in Abuja to attend its 15th General Assembly and Scientific Conference.
The Secretary General of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), and a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Friday Okonofua stated this at a press conference on Friday.
Representing the President of the Academy, Prof. Lise Korsten, Okonofua mentioned that the conference would discuss issue on health, climate change, science diplomacy, science Infrastructure, agriculture, social science and policy, the basic sciences, engineering, digital and creative economy, and future funding mechanisms.
According to him, the conference with the theme: “Empowering and Advancing Africa’s Scientific Enterprise” would also unite outstanding thinkers and distinguished stakeholders from around the world, including policy stakeholders, regional science bodies, development partners, and key leaders in the continent.
Okonofua informed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be expected to declare the event open while the President of the African Development Bank, Professor Akinwunmi Adesina will deliver the keynote address while other presenters who have accepted to deliver papers at the conference include Professor Patrick Lumumba from Nairobi, Kenya, Professor Olubayi Olubayi from Uganda, and Professor Oyewale Tomori, the current President of the West African Network of Science Academies.
Okonofua said during the conference, new Fellows will be admitted into the Academy, while the recipient of the Olusegun Obasanjo price and other awards will be announced.
“The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) is a non-aligned, non-political, not- for-profit pan-African learned society formed in 1985 to promote the development of all African countries using the principles and philosophies of science.
“The AAS with headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya is governed by a General Assembly of nearly 560 elected Fellows from all African countries, and a Governing Council consisting of officials elected by the General Assembly.
“The officials consist of a President, a Secretary General, Treasurer, and five Vice-Presidents each elected to represent the five sub-regions of
Africa. The current Governing Council was elected in July 2023 for a 3-year term. The 2024 Abuja Conference/General Assembly is the 5th in a roll, and is being held for the first time in West Africa,” he stated.
“We strongly believe that the outcomes of the conference hold great promise for re-positioning Africa to a new way of thinking about science and leveraging its potential to promote Africa’s development and its future,” he said.
