Prof. Bartho. N. Okolo
The Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Prof. Bartho. N. Okolo, has been elected as the Chairman, UNESCO Scientific Advisory Board for the next four years on Tuesday February 6, by the Advisory Board members. The election, held in the Premier University’s board room was part of a series of events put together by the International Biotechnology Centre,UNESCO Category 2, to mark its inaugural conference on Biotechnology.
The Executive Secretary, International Basic Sciences Programme, UNESCO Headquarters and leader of the foreign delegates to the conference, Maciej Nalecz, while speaking during the election noted that the strong belief members of board had in Prof. Okolo’s ability to steer the ship to greater heights in biotechnological developments resulted to their choice in electing him as its Chairman.
“His leadership qualities are well-trusted, and there is no doubt he will bring this to bear on the board and its functions. He is professional, visionary and astute, and we find it fitting to have him help drivethe board and its responsibilities to theCentre,” Nalecz said.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of the world body to the nation’s drive for biotechnological advancement, stressing that the Centre would facilitate the expected related outcomes. Members of the advisory board who attended the meeting include Ms Lucy Hoareau, Desk Officer for Biotechnology, UNESCO Headquarters; Prof. IqbalParker, DG, ICGEB, South Africa; Prof. Dinakar Salunke,Director, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, New Delhi, India; Dr. Chris Nwoguh, Health Protection Agency, Salisbury,UK and Prof. Tim Crick, University of Sheffield, UK.Others are Prof. Walter S. Alhassan, SABIMA Accra, Ghana; Prof. Phillippe Desmeth, President of world federation for culture collection (WFCC); Prof. Dafna Feinholz, Chief of Section-Bioethics, UNESCO Headquarters; and Dr. Chikelu Mba, FAO, Rome.The Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) was created by the International Governing Board on Biotechnology to function primarily in an advisory capacity such as to offer advices on strategic objectives of the International Centre for Biotechnology, scientific orientation of the Centre and monitoring, evaluation and performance of the Centre.The International Centre for Biotechnology, UNESCO Category 2, University of Nigeria, Nsukka will provide state of the art laboratory facilities to enhance research, develop research for food security, develop tropical disease research initiatives, provide training for postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows and develop capacity for biotechnology policy and practice.
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