Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, expressed his joy upon hearing of the recognition of six Nigerian scientists and engineers among the 400 recipients of the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).
This honor, presented by outgoing US President Joe Biden, is the highest accolade the US government bestows for exceptional achievements in science and engineering.
The distinguished Nigerians include Azeez Butali, Gilbert Lilly-endowed professor at the University of Iowa’s College of Dentistry; Ijeoma Opara, associate professor at Yale School of Public Health; Oluwatomi Akindele, postdoctoral researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Eno Ebong, associate professor of chemical engineering at Northeastern University; Oluwasanmi Koyejo, assistant professor of computer science at Stanford University; and Abidemi Ajiboye, executive vice chair of biomedical engineering at Case Western Reserve University.
Obi congratulated these awardees, emphasizing that their recognition highlights their dedication and impactful contributions to the fields of science, engineering, and technology. He reiterated the importance of investing in education to cultivate the vast potential of Nigeria’s youth, whose talents can drive national progress.
In his statement, Obi expressed confidence in the future, stating that these achievements are a reminder of the significant role education plays in shaping Nigeria’s development. He concluded by affirming, “A New Nigeria is possible.”
