The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited says the annually held Nigeria Prize for Literature and Nigeria Prize for Science, which it sponsors were its own contribution to the strategic development of Nigeria.

NLNG’s General Manager, Technical, Ekeinde Ohiwerei said this in a chat with Kristina Reports on the sidelines of the Social Media Week Lagos 2020 on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Ohiwerie, whose office is responsible for Digital Innovations at the Nigeria LNG, stated that “The prize for us is a gift, not just for the winners, our intention is that it should be a gift to Nigeria as well. We really want to maximize the effect and the impact of the prize winners’ inventions on development in the country”.  

Nigeria LNG Limited sponsors the Nigeria Prize for Literature and the Nigeria Prize for Science, which have a combined worth of $200,000, annually. Both competitions, which are open to Nigerian writers and scientists, irrespective of their place of residence, have contributed to the development of Literature and Science since their debut in 2004.

The Nigeria Prize for Science, which is the country’s highest scientific award given annually since 2004 for excellence in science breakthroughs, according to the NLNG, aims at “bringing Nigerian scientists to public attention and celebrating excellence in scientific breakthroughs”.

Past recipients of the Nigeria Prize for Science include Professors Ikeoluwapo Ajayi, Ayodele Jegede and Olugbenga Mokuolu, and Dr Bidemi Yusuf, and Dr Chukwuma Agubata, 2017; Professor Akahehomen Ibhadode, 2010; late Professor Andrew Jonathan Nok, 2009; Professor Ebenezer Meshida, 2008; Professor Michael Adikwu, 2006; and Dr Kingsley Abhulimen and Professor Akpoveta Susu, 2004.

The GM, Technical Division disclosed that after a 15 year stint, it was imperative to engage stakeholders to review the success, impact, and challenges facing the prize, and explore areas of improvement, which was what the motivation behind the Nigeria Science Session at the Social Media Week Lagos 2020.

“Well, the prize has been going on for 15 years and we have been thinking that it has achieved its objective of raising the profile and interest in the areas of science and literature in the country. But of course, continuous improvement is one of the things we are very passionate about and as we start another five years strategy session about how we are going to run the prize in the next five years we thought it was wise to hear from our stakeholders transparently and hear what they think about the prize, the impact it has had on the country and also to learn a bit more about some of the challenges we have had in the quantum of entries we have seen over the years.”

“And so, I think this session has really been key for us learning more about it and seeing how we can strategize and move forward to be more effective.”

Ekeinde Ohiwerei was one of the panelists at the session, which was moderated by Media buff, Taiwo Obe, alongside the Founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria, Dr Ola Brown, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Leadspace Nigeria, Nonyelim Okolie, and the Founder of “We”nnovation Hub, Oluwole Odetayo.