By Gabriel Chy Alonta
Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN), Anambra Chapter, has rewarded three students who emerged best in the state and national chemistry quiz competition held between 7th to 12th November, 2021 in Lagos.
The recognition and award presentation was done during the 25th Anniversary Celebration of CSN held at Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state.
The students were presented with cash gifts and certificates of participation, as well as trophies as a way of encouraging similar performance in future.
The CSN Chapter Chairperson, Prof. Theresa Onuegbu, while making the presentation, disclosed that Chukwuemelie Victor Onwuka from Unizik High School, Awka, took 2nd position at the state level and emerged the overall best at the national level, while Onyinye Juliana Okafor, took the 1st position at the state level and 4th position at the national level. Okafor also came 1st among the female participants, where she won Prof. Gloria Obuzor’s award. Prince Emmanuel Ezekwe took the 3rd position at the state level.
Onuegbu said CSN, Anambra Chapter had recorded both growth and development in various ways, and attributed it to the sacrifices and commitments of members, while urging them not to rest on their oars. She equally thanked the Nnamdi Azikiwe University management, the principal and staff of Unizik High School, for their contributions towards the success recorded in the 2021 quiz competition.
Also speaking, Prof. Moses Chendo, the President, Chemical Society of Nigeria, congratulated the winners, and noted that the society would continue to promote and stimulate the advancement of chemistry and related sciences by means of organized discussion, conferences, symposia, seminars, workshops and publications.
The national president, who called for the chemistry curriculum review according to international best practices, decried the declining number of applicants who want to study chemistry at tertiary institutions, and remarked the need to ensure that the curriculum is practical-oriented.
According to him, our curriculum must be up-to-date in such a way that we have more practical aspects that will enable our graduates to become more employable. He disclosed that the national leadership had instituted a reward system to recognise students with 1st class, even as he stressed the import of chemical sciences in ensuring food security and global health.
In a remark, Prof. Patrice-Anthony Okoye, urged the CSN, Anambra chapter to work in synergy with the state government to promote the activities of CSN, even as he urged the national leadership to carry the state chapter along in all its activities.
Prof. Mabel Akpuaka, who spoke on ‘Career women and investments strategies’, told her audience to avoid impulse spending, or engaging in frivolous buying, and enjoined them to ensure they invest wisely and rightly.
The guest speaker advised women to open a joint account with their husbands to bridle their excessive buying habit, even as she urged married men to ensure they disclosed their financial status to their partners to avoid losses in the case of eventuality.
Akpuaka, a retired professor of organic chemistry, who advised women to imbibe prudence with spending, noted that career women were known for such qualities as strong-willed, committed, hardworking, independent, honest, resilient, adaptive to change and insistent.
Earlier, the chairman of the occasion and Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Josephat Okey Ogbuagu, harped on mentorship and preparations of younger scholars to take over the leadership of CSN in the future.
Dr. Ifeoma Iloamaeke, had, in a vote of thanks, commended the university vice-chancellor for his untiring commitment to the advancement of science, technology and innovation.
Cutting of the anniversary cake and award presentations to Dr. Friday Chukunedum Okei, Mr. ABC Nzekwe and Prince Ogeleka formed the high points of the 25th Anniversary of CSN, Anambra chapter.