From Our Correspondent
Renowned climate scientist and environmental consultant, Prof. Jimmy Adegoke, says Nigerians in Diaspora can help the country navigate its developmental challenges.
Adegoke made these remarks in a media chat at a send-off dinner organised by a team of diaspora scholars and associates, in his honour in Lagos.
TheNewsZenith reports that the Climate Scientist recently retired from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), USA.
He was a tenured faculty member and academic leader at UMKC for almost 25 years.
The famous scholar also served as Chair of the Department of Geosciences from 2008 to 2010 and Director of the University’s Centre for Applied Environmental Research (CAER).
He is currently an advisor and senior consultant on climate change and green growth with the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group.
Citing diasporas’ global exposure and networks, Adegoke, said diasporans could help to foster international partnerships.
They could also bring fresh perspectives to policy-making and attract investments to Nigeria, he said.
According to him, many Nigerians returning home are willing to contribute their quotas to the country’s growth and development.
This is in the realm of an expression of patriotism and commitment to Nigeria, he added.
The award-winning climate scientist said Nigeria could leverage its global human capital by tapping into the diaspora’s talent and expertise to drive economic growth.
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He said this could also improve governance and enhance the country’s international reputation.
TheNewsZenith reports that Adegoke’s work cuts across science, climate policy, environmental governance and cross-institutional capacity building.
His research has been funded by agencies such as NASA, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the AfDB.
The erudite scholar of international repute has served as interim Executive Director/CEO of the West African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) from April to December 2017.
He was previously Executive Director of the Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) Natural Resources & Environment (NRE) Division, Pretoria, South Africa from 2010 to 2012.
At the invitation of the Federal Government Adegoke served as Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Agricultural Resilience in Nigeria (ACARN).
TheNewsZenith recalls that ACARN developed a national programme on climate adaptation and agricultural resilience for Nigeria in 2014.
He sits on multiple international science advisory boards/committees. Adegoke also maintains permanent residence in Kansas City.
He served as an appointee of the Mayor of Kansas City Missouri (KCMO) on the city’s Environmental Management Commission (EMC).
Adegoke was inducted into the Ahmadu Bello Universtity (ABU), Zaria Nigeria Hall of Fame in 2021 as one of the “110 Most Powerful ABU Alumni”.
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