Leading Nigerian science researcher in UK gets appointment in home state, Yobe

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BY USMAN ABBA ZANNA, AUGUST 09, 2022 | 07:23 PM


The Yobe State Government has appointed Dr. Mahmoud Bukar as an honorary special adviser on science, research and innovation to Governor Mai Mala Buni.

Baba Mallam Wali, secretary to the state government who disclosed in a statement on Tuesday said the appointment is with immediate effect.

According to Wali, the appointment is following Mahmoud’s demonstrated commitment towards development of the state, especially in the area of science and research.

‘Appointment into this exalted office is predicated on his past records of performance, dedication and commitments towards the development of Yobe State,’ Wali said.

Before his appointment, Mahmoud has been a promoter of science literacy and research across Africa through various initiatives and collaboration with institutions. He also strengthened the communications of sciences around the world.

He is a research fellow in the Serpell Laboratory, Sussex Neuroscience, studying neurodegeneration, especially in Alzheimer's disease.

He started his training career in Nigeria before proceeding to the United Kingdom, UK where he had his doctorate in Neuroscience at the University of Sussex, United Kingdom.

He is currently championing the cause of research on how to promote Neuroscience in Africa.

In this crusade for about a decade now, he received multiple awards and recognitions, including the Royal Society of Biology Science Communication Award in 2017, New England Biolabs Passion for Science Humanitarian Duty Award in 2019 and admission to become a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2018.

He founded the outreach branch of TReND in Africa in 2013 and Science Communication Hub Nigeria in 2018.

Similarly, he founded the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) in 2021 which aims to facilitate research and training of African scientists using state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure that will enable them to contribute to solving local and global biomedical science problems. In 2022 they organised the first international Summer School in BioRTC with faculty and participants from Europe, Asia, North America and Africa.

His other initiative includes African Science Literacy Network (ASLN), as a platform to promote accurate dissemination of science through collaboration between scientists and journalists.

As a developmentalist, he also supports institutions including schools in different African countries.

In 2019, through the Teaching and Research in Neuroscience for Development in Africa (TReND), Mahmud donated $50,000 worth of science equipment to Yobe State University.

In his reaction, Mr. Mahmoud thanked the state for finding him worthy of the job.

In a telephone conversation with YERWA EXPRESS NEWS, he could not hide his excitement.

‘I feel really honored for this opportunity to serve my state in the capacity of honorary special adviser to Governor Mai Mala Buni, on science, research and innovation,’ Mr. Mahmoud said.

‘I am excited that the Yobe state government under the present governor recognizes the initiatives we bring to the state in promoting sciences,’ he added.

He said this while stating that as an adviser to the governor it is also an opportunity to further strengthen and promote initiatives that will boost sciences in the state, and the country at large.


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