A Nigerian professor, Olugbenga Bello, has emerged the winner of the 2019 Nigerian Academy of Science Physical Sciences Award.
Prof Solomon Olugbenga Bello is hails from Ogbomoso and a product of Anglican Grammar School, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
Olugbenga grew up in Ogbomoso, a city in South West Nigeria, where he developed an inquisitive nature as a child. His curiosities often led him to question what was in the food he ate and the water he drank so he could understand the world around him: “I have since found out that the answers to these questions are found in studying chemistry.”
Transitioning from his secondary school, the Anglican Grammar School, to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in his home town, Olugbenga initially wanted to become a medical doctor, but met several brick walls. After delving into all the sciences, he discovered his love and ability in chemistry and attained a B. Tech degree. One aspect of chemistry he particularly enjoyed was the world of atomic and subatomic particles.
Bello is a professor at the department of chemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
In a statement on Tuesday evening, the chairman of the NAS Science Prize Committee said Bello’s work focused on utilising adsorption technology in extracting different dyes from wastewater.
“This process is claimed to be of a simple design, inexpensive, and multi- functional,” the statement noted.
He said the 2019 NAS GOLD MEDAL PRIZE in the Physical Sciences Award will be presented by the President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Mosto FAS, at a date to be announced later.
He said Prof. Bello used the method in extracting traces of Ibuprofen (an antiinflammatory drug commonly used in Nigeria) and different dyes from wastewater.
He said the research aims at highlighting the value of utilising agro-waste in purifying dye-stained water from industrial and domestic environment.
”Therefore, the research could be regarded to be of great relevance to the environmental degradation situation in Nigeria, due to the increase in the number of industries, who use/discharge/accidentally spill chemicals that could pollute water bodies within local communities,” he said.
A gold medal prize was instituted by the academy in 2016 to be awarded to deserving Nigerian scientists who have made significant achievements in science of “national relevance and global resonance”.
The award alternates between the life sciences and physical sciences.
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