Baskadia

The Nigerian Academy of Science, is one of the most prestigious learned forums in Nigeria.

On Thursday, 28th of January, 2021, history was made when the academy inducted Cross River born Professor Ekanem Ikpi Braide FAS as President of the Nigerian Academy of Science.

Prof Braide, is the 19th President of the Academy, and is the Academy’s first female President in 44 years of existence.

Professor Braide, a professor of Parasitology/Epidemiology was a member of the national committee that achieved the laudable feat of guinea worm eradication in Nigeria.

She has a rich professional experience as a researcher and an administrator.

Professor Braide is formerly Vice Chancellor of the defunct Cross River State University of Technology (now Cross River State University), and also former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Lafia, Nassarawa State.

On 8 March 2024, the Nigeria Academy of Science conferred on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Grand Patron of the Academy and the investiture was done by Professor Braide.

The 8th of March, 2024, was International Women's Day which day is set aside to celebrate womanhood.

Professor Ekanem Ikpi Braide is the second daughter of late Chief Onun Eteng Ikpi of Lebolkom, Biko-Biko Town of Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Late Chief Onun Eteng Ikpi was a renowned Permanent Secretary in the old Eastern Region of Nigeria.

Chief Onun Eteng Ikpi was educated in Hope Waddle Institute, Calabar, and also the Cambridge University, United Kingdom, and graduated with M.A in Natural Science in the late 1940s.

Chief Onun Eteng Ikpi was also the Secretary of Committee appointed by the then Head of State of Nigeria, General Yakubu Gowon, in 1971 to share common assets belonging to the defunct Eastern Region of Nigeria among the three States carved out of it in 1967.

These States were East Central (now Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo and Enugu States); South Eastern State (now Akwa Ibom and Cross River States) and Rivers State (now Bayelsa and Rivers States).

Professor Braide is definitely a chip of the old block.

@ Okoi Obono-Obla

Published by ETTAH EMMANUEL O.