The President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof. Mosto Onuoha, has warned the country against underrating the importance of science.
Onuoha said that the superstitious beliefs of individuals had overshadowed the study of science, adding that that was why the level of importance given to science in writing for information purposes was low in the country.
He said this at the Nigeria Academy of Science Awards in Lagos while making his remarks.
Onuoha said, “Science writing is important because of the need to communicate with the people. Science is so important, but underrated in Nigeria.”
“The science culture is yet to catch up with our teeming population as a lot of people still live in
superstition.”
In her keynote address entitled, “The Nexus Between Science and Media: Gaps and Opportunities,” a former NTA newscaster and producer, Mrs. Eugenia Abu, noted that there was a need to create relationship between science and the media, which serves as a tool for educating the
masses.
She made a case for scientists to relate better with the media to ensure access to information.
She also said, “There was need for an understanding between science and the media because the role of science and technology has led to a great stride in the
society.
“The inter-relations should be allowed to grow to build the nexus. The field is wide open for all of us to take advantage of.”
Endowed by the Nigerian Academy of Science, the NAS Science Media Awards, which is in its eighth year, seek to promote excellence in science-related stories. Instituted by the Academy as part of her goal to improve science reporting, the award is open to all print and broadcast journalists, who published science or science related stories in the previous year.
