Mimi's Blog: FEMALE NIGERIAN SCIENTISTS YOU DIDNT KNOW ABOUT

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Nigeria, like many other African societies encourages male dominance in all the major aspects of life.This dominance of the male gender is very conspicuous in the Science,Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields of the Nigerian academia.

According to Rabia Salihu Sa’id, “Nigeria women make up only 17 percent of all science researchers.”

Girls continue to face stereotypes and social and cultural restrictions, limiting their access to education and funding for research, preventing them from scientific careers and reaching their full potential. Women remain a minority in science research and decision-making.And that is why on the 22 December 2015, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a resolution to establish an annual International Day to recognize the critical role women and girls play in science and technology communities,and that day is 11th february of every year.

Many women have made exploits in science,Technology,Engineering and Mathematics across the globe,some of them include: Tracy Chou (A Software Engineer),Ursula M Burns,Cora Creed and many others,one can say that these women thrived in a environment with less stereotypes towards the female gender than it is experienced in Africa and that is why The Nigerian Academia considers it important to celebrate some unique women among others who, despite all odds have made excellent achievements just as their male counterparts in various fields of the Sciences.

Grace Alele-Williams

Born in Warri, Prof Grace symbolizes the excellence any woman could achieve if given the opportunity.She is the first Nigerian female to earn a Ph.D. in Mathematics the first female Professor of Mathematics in Nigeria.

Alele-Williams received the National Honor of the Order of the Niger in 1987 and was a member of the Vision 2010 Committee.

Francisca Nneka Okeke

Is a Nigerian scientist and Professor of Physics.

Okeke’s research on how solar activity in the ionosphere affects the Earth’s magnetic field, could lead to a better understanding of climate change and help pinpoint sources of dramatic phenomena like tsunamis and earthquakes

She was named L'oreal For Women in Science Awards Laureate for Africa in 2013.

Deborah Ajakaiye

Born in 1940 in the city of Jos,Ajakaiye became the first female professor of physics in Africa in 1980.

Ajakaiye stated that many male scientists had changed their perception of women scientists after interacting with her. Her work with geovisualization has been used to locate both mineral deposits and groundwater in Nigeria. She has also created a gravity map of Nigeria. Ajakaiye has been recognized for both her scientific advancements and her aid to the nation of Nigeria.

Ajakaiye is currently working with the NNPC on its drive for alternative crude oil reserves with the exploration of the inland sedimentary basins in other parts of Nigeria.

Ayoka Olufunmilayo Adebambo

Prof Ayoka is the first female Professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics in Nigeria. She spent 16 years at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training,where she researched on the improvement of indigenous pig breeds for commercialisation.

She also assists local farmers in the areas of pig farming through capacity building and training workshops.

Some of her awards include the British Council Award, the Commonwealth Fellowship, Royal Society of England’s Third World Fellowship, World Bank Research Award, Indian Technical Cooperation/SCAAP Fellowship, National Universities Commission Outstanding Research Awards and many others.

Folasade Ogunsola

Professor Folasade Ogunsola is a renowned Medical Scientist with specialization in the treatment and control of HIV/AIDS.She is the Principal Investigator of the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN)

She is a member of the WHO Technical Working Group on Infection Prevention and Control, a member of the WHO AFRO Regional Rapid Response Group of Experts for Epidemics and member of the Global Infection Prevention and Control Network. She is the current Chairman of the National Association of Colleges of Medicine.

CHINYERE KALU

Chinyere Kalu became the first female pilot in Nigera.With her unprecedented achievemnet,she set the pace for others to follow. She was trained aa a commercial and pivate pilot at the Nigerian College Of Aviation and Technology Zaria in 1978.

She has been conferred a member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria due to her accomplishments in aviation.

the recovery of $9.8 million cash by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from the Kaduna residence of a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Adrew Yakubu, who claimed the recovered money was given to him by

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/02/recovered-9-8m-cash-given-donors-says-detained-ex-nnpc-head/