- NLNG General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Andy Odeh
By Anthony Nwachukwu
To ensure that agricultural innovations positively impact food security in the country, the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), in partnership with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), has presented the joint-winning works of The Nigeria Prize for Science (2022) to industry players.
The winning works, Gains in Grain Yield of Released Maize (Zea Mays L.) Cultivers under Drought and Well-Watered Conditions, by Dr Muhydideen Oyekunle and Prof. Shehu Ado, and Development of Process Plant for Plantain Flour, by Prof. Sesan Peter Ayodeji and Dr Emmanuel Olatunji Olutomilola, were presented at an interactive business forum in Lagos Wednesday.
Gains in Grain Yield of Released Maize (Zea Mays L.) Cultivers under Drought and Well-Watered Conditions speaks to developing hybrid, high-yielding and water stress-tolerant maize seeds.
On the other hand, Development of Process Plant for Plantain Flour is an important innovation for reducing the spoilage of farm produce, and is also resourceful in scaling up from batch production to industrial-scale continuous flour production, and remains relevant beyond plantain to other food items.
The NLNG General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Andy Odeh, told the gathering that the Prize’s focus on food security in 2022 aligned 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 the NLNG was interested in the impact the innovations would have on food security and socio-economic well-being of Nigerians, adding that the company was aware that it was not enough to have innovations without them impacting 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,” a statement from the Ag Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, quoted Odey to say.
Chairman of the Prize’s Advisory Board, Prof. Barth Nnaji, who was represented by a board member, Dr Nike Akande, noted that the innovations have the potential for high impact.
According to him, “there are two components to it. There is one about machinery. By developing such equipment, we are making significant progress in-country. Then, there is the technique of producing a product with a multiplier effect and many benefits.
“This interactive workshop will raise awareness for our society to know that these two aspects are real outcomes from last year’s prize. The business community and industries are the ones that should take that outcome to society.
“It is also our strategic view that this event would bring to the fore investment networks and harmonisation of efforts to support agriculture in Nigeria.”
The Nigeria Prize for Science is a $100,000 award sponsored by NLNG to promote innovations in science and technology that will solve age-long problems and drive development in Nigeria.
Guests at the event included the LCCI President, Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, LCCI Director-General, Dr. Chinyere Almona, and members of the Advisory Board of Nigeria Prize for Science, Dr Nike Akande and Prof. Yusuf Abubakar.
