LAGOS – The President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof. Olawole Tomori, on Monday urged scientists to publish the outcome of their medical research findings so as to stimulate national development.
Tomori told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the bane of Nigeria’s development was the failure of scientists to channel their findings to the relevant authorities for appropriate action.
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“Many of us scientists we carry out research and we lock ourselves in the test tube of our research and never tell anybody what we are doing.
“Disseminating this and letting people know is what will show your relevance to your people. Because if you are doing all these things and no one knows about it, then nobody knows your relevance.
“I have always said that one of the errors we as scientists have made in this country is because, well may be a bit too proud, thinking that we are educated, we are researchers, we do not want to talk to those politicians. That is the mistake we have made all these years.
“Go to the University of Ibadan, you will find 5, 000 publications on malaria and our people are still getting malaria.
“So, what happened to all the 5, 000? Unless people know and make use of it for the good of the people, then something is wrong.
“It is important for us to get together with then, the politicians, let them know, let them appreciate what is happening. We are helping our country.
“They own the money, and unless they know what we are telling, they would never know where to put the money.
“So, we need to work with them, whatever it takes, let them know that there are other areas where they can spend money.“
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