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A COMMUNIQUE OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (CSN) ISSUED AT THE 34TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, WORKSHOP AND EXHIBITION HELD AT THE MAIN AUDITORIUM, UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, ILORIN, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA, FROM 19TH TO 23RD SEPTEMBER 2011
PREAMBLE
The Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) at her 34th Annual International Conference, Workshop and Exhibition held between 19th and 23rd September 2011, at the Main Auditorium, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, in Plenary, deliberated extensively on the theme: “Chemistry and Millenium Development Goals (MDGs)” and observed as follows that:
1. The MDGs as contained in the UN Millenium Declaration in 2000 are human development indexed and relate generally to the well-being and welfare of our citizens
2. Chemistry is central to virtually all the MDGs; Chemists are therefore, key to the realization of these goals
3. To that extent there is an urgent need for a critical look at the way Chemistry is presented and taught at all levels of education in Nigeria, to make it more responsive to today’s demands
4. Chemistry is an important vehicle for wealth creation and women empowerment, in light of their central role in bulk production of crops and agro-based food processing
5. Chemistry is playing a major role in unravelling the molecular basis of diseases, making it possible to design disease-specific drugs for therapeutic intervention
6. Chemistry is equally important in ensuring environmental protection and sustainability
7. There is yet to be established an ISO-compliant National Reference Laboratory where all categories of samples could be analyzed
.
8. The Report on the Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland, which is chemistry-based, is yet to be fully implemented.
The Conference, having examined the issues related to the Millennium Development Goals and the role Chemistry is playing and could further play, recommends as follows:
1. Government should, in recognition of the central role Chemistry plays in human life, develop a national policy and evolve a strategy to fund and manage research and development in all areas of Chemistry
2. Government as a matter of national priority should establis National Chemistry Resource Centres, across the country, for skills acquisition and hands-on training for young chemists; these Centres should also be charged with the additional mandate to continually review and manage how chemistry is presented and taught at all levels of education in Nigeria, in collaboration with the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria, ICCON
3. Government should, also as a matter of priority establish an ISO-compliant reference laboratory, to save the nation the embarrassment of having to go outside the country to carry out analysis of samples in matters of critical national importance, as it was in the Zamfara lead-poisoning saga and the Ogoniland Environmental Assessment
4. Government is urged to, as a matter of extreme urgency, commence the implementation of the recommendations contained in the UNEP report on Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland presented to the Federal Government of Nigeria on the 4th August 2011, and seriously consider the CSN as an important stakeholder in the process
5. Government should provide tax incentives as a way of encouraging industries to increase their support for University fundamental and applied research in areas that urgently appeal to the MDGs.
In conclusion, the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) pledges its loyalty to the Federal Government of Nigeria and offers its assistance to the government and the private sector in the implementation of the above recommendations
LONG LIVE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF NIGERIA!
LONG LIVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA!!
Prof. F. E. Okieimen, FCSN, FICCON, FPIN Dr R. Sha’Ato, FICCON, MCSN, MIPAN
National President National Secretary
COMMUNIQUE
NOTES, RESOLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (CSN) MADE AT THE 33RD ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE HELD AT THE OGUN STATE CULTURAL CENTRE, ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE – NIGERIA, FROM 20TH TO 24TH SEPTEMBER 2010
PREAMBLE
The Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) at her 33rd Annual International Conference held between 20th and 24th September 2010, deliberated extensively on the theme: “Green Chemistry and Sustainable Development: Challenges and Prospects” and observed as follows:
1. Chemistry is the heart of science and science is the foundation on which technology is built.
2. Chemists must play a major role in the environmental consequences of chemical products and the processes by which these products are made.
3. Green Chemistry represents the pillars which holds up our sustainable future and focuses on maximizing the efficiency while minimizing the hazard of any chemical of choice and should be adopted in
4. Green Chemistry is an enabling science that will allow for economic and environmental progress in
5. There is a need for the provision of information on latest technology and best practices in chemicals management.
6. There is a need for the establishment of an institutional framework and strengthening of National Capacity within an integrated National Programme for the sound management of chemicals.
7. There is a need for the implementation of the strategic approach for Green Chemistry in
8. The Society encourages a holistic review of National policies on environment, science and technology to incorporate Green Chemistry and nanotechnology principles and issues.
The Society also realises that:
9. There is an impetus for the development and provision of sufficient alternative sources of energy for Nigerians. It is also important that the practice of Green Chemistry be incorporated in this drive so as to minimise and sustain the effect of hazardous chemicals on the environment.
10. For the effective implementation of this policy there should be a CSN/Government/Private Sector partnership to kick start the development of a roadmap for the effective takeoff of Green Chemistry in
11. To drive and popularise this new concept there is a need for aggressive human capacity development, training and re-training of today and future chemists and allied professions.
12. There is the need to encourage the establishment of Students Green Chemistry Clubs in our Secondary and Tertiary Institutions.
13. The educational curricular in our Secondary and Tertiary Institutions should be reviewed to incorporate Green Chemistry principles and issues.
14. There is a need for backup legislation at all levels of Governance for the implementation of Green Chemistry concepts in
15. The industrial fortune of
16. The Society applauds the effort of the Federal Government of Nigeria in the remarkable progress made so far in reducing e-wastes through the activation of the National Toxic Waste Dump programme which monitors the coastal areas and water ways of
The conference, having examined the issues related to “Green Chemistry and Sustainable Development: Challenges and Prospects”, resolves as follows:
1. Government should develop a national policy and evolve a strategy to fund and manage research and development in Green Chemistry.
2. Relevant professional bodies should adopt new approaches towards empowering and strengthening of links between industrial and academic research in the area of Green Chemistry.
3. Relevant Government Agencies and Industries should improve their support and funding for university research in Green Chemistry.
4. Human capacity development and training in Green Chemistry should be given urgent attention by sponsoring professionals for trainings and seminars.
5. Educators and administrators should ensure that Green Chemistry topics should be included in the curriculum at the basic, senior secondary and tertiary levels.
6. The relevant science, technology and environmental agencies such as Federal Ministry of Environment (FME), National Environmental Standards Regulation and Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON), etc should recognise the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) in the Green Chemistry project.
After due considerations of all the issues relating to “Green Chemistry and Sustainable Development: Challenges and Prospects”, the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) recommends as follows:
1. Government should urgently develop a National Policy and enact an Act to ensure the incorporation of Green Chemistry practices to enhance Sustainable Development in
2. Government should invest substantially in “Green Chemistry” by the establishment of dedicated national laboratories and research institutes at regional/zonal levels.
3. The Chemical Society of
4. Government should provide tax incentives as a way of encouraging industries to increase their support for university fundamental research in the area of Green Chemistry and related applied sciences.
5. Government should encourage the growing of non-food, ethanol-based crops (cellulosic) for the production of biofuels.
6. The relevant government agencies should partner with the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) in Human capacity development and training in Green Chemistry concepts.
In conclusion, the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) pledges its loyalty to the Federal Government of Nigeria and offers its assistance to the government and the private sector in the implementation of the above recommendations
LONG LIVE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF NIGERIA!
LONG LIVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF
Prof. F. E. Okieimen Dr R. Sha’Ato
National President National Secretary
COMMUNIQUE
NOTES, RESOLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (CSN) MADE AT THE 32ND ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE HELD AT THE BAUCHI STATE MULTIPURPOSE INDOOR SPORTS HALL, BAUCHI, BAUCHI STATE – NIGERIA, FROM 5TH TO 9TH OCTOBER 2009
PREAMBLE
The Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) at her 32nd Annual International Conference held between 5th and 9th October 2009, deliberated extensively on the theme: “Chemistry - A Catalyst for Sustainable Industrial Development” and observed as follows:
1. Chemistry is the melting pot of science and remains the very active element of sustainable industrial and national development.
2. The health, prosperity, and security of our nation rest on ability of scientists to create and use interdisciplinary information through Chemistry
3. The industrial fortune of Nigeria can be re-launched through massive investment in innovative research and development in the chemical sciences
4. Chemistry is an enabling science that will allow economic progress and environmental progress to proceed in harmony
5. The society notes the interest of the Federal government in the development of energy from renewable sources.
6. The society also notes that education is critical in the achievement of the 7 – point agenda and that the delivery and implementation of existing curriculum in both secondary and tertiary institution have not achieved the purposes for which they were setup
7. Little attention is paid to the teaching of environmental issues in our curriculum delivery at all levels of our education
The conference, having examined the issues related to “Chemistry - A Catalyst for Sustainable Industrial Development”, resolves as follows:
1. Government should develop a national policy and evolve a strategy to fund and manage research and development in chemical sciences.
2. Relevant professional bodies should seek new mechanisms and incentives towards strengthening links between industrial and academic research in the area of chemical sciences.
3. Industry should be encouraged to increase its support for university fundamental research in the chemical sciences as such public investment offers the most far reaching benefits to society.
4. The Federal Government should develop indigenous technology backed by national coordinated research efforts towards achieving the alternative renewable energy project.
5. Education should be given urgent attention by providing the necessary funding and incentives to aid the implementation of the 7-point agenda of the current administration.
6. Educators and administrators should ensure that Green Chemistry topics should be included in the curriculum at the basic, senior secondary and tertiary levels.
7. The relevant Education agencies such as NUC, NBTE, NABTEB etc should recognise the Chemical Society of Nigeria as stakeholders in the training of teachers in the correct pedagogy, including environmental issues.
After due considerations of all the issues relating to “Chemistry - A Catalyst for Sustainable Industrial Development”, the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) recommends as follows:
1. Government should urgently develop a National Policy and enact an Act on Chemicals and Chemical Related Matters to make chemists contribute more effectively to the national economy
2. Government should invest substantially in chemistry by the establishment of a National Science Foundation to coordinate the operation of dedicated national laboratories at regional/zonal levels for shared and dedicated instrumentation
3. The Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) and the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON) should devise new mechanisms and incentives to strengthen links between industrial and academic research in the area of chemical sciences.
4. Government should provide tax incentives as a way of encouraging industry to increase their support for university fundamental research in the chemical sciences.
5. Government should develop indigenous technology backed by National coordinated research efforts toward developing the abundant renewable sources of energy.
6. Government should encourage the growing of non-food, ethanol-based crops (cellulosic) for the production of biofuels e.g. algae, jathropha, etc.
7. As a policy, educators and administrators should ensure that Green Chemistry should form part of the curriculum at all levels of our education.
8. The relevant government agencies should partner with the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) in training teachers in the correct pedagogy and environmental issues.
In conclusion, the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN) pledges its loyalty to the Federal Government of Nigeria and offers its assistance to the government and the private sector in the implementation of the above recommendations
LONG LIVE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF NIGERIA!
LONG LIVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA
Prof. F. E. Okieimen Prince Jay Oghifo
National President National Secretary