The book of Proverb 22:29 says: “Seeth thou a man, diligent in his business, he shall stand before Kings, he shall not stand before mean men.”
And so, Benjamin Afolabi Oso, a Professor of Microbiology, Environmental Consultant and the Director of Research and Extension at the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti has won a prize from the International Institute for Training, Research and Economic Development(IITRED) 2012 for Technological Innovation in Oil and Gas.
According to IITRED Vice Chairman, Ambassador (Dr.) Hassan Adamu, “Professor Oso’s winning entry for the Research Prize was “Oso Bio-degrader-Plus”, code named “OBD-Plus” which is a patented technology developed to solve environmental pollution problems”. It is a biological agent consisting of a specially formulated consortium of non-pathogenic microbes borne on a specially prepared dry powdery medium of plant origin which does the following, among others:
●Clean-up and bio-remediation of oil-polluted environments (land and water);
●Detoxifies drilling mud (waste) and renders it safe for discharge into the environment;
●Treatment of drill cuttings effectively within 21 days.
●Enhancement of oil recovery techniques; and
●Achieves a 97-99% reduction in lead content of soil (Nigeria) and levels of other heavy metals.
Through intensive research on water hyacinth and other aquatic weeds, a powdery material which is heavily impregnated with special isolates of microorganisms is produced for fast biodegradation of organic matter. This substance is patented as OBD-Plus (Oso Bio degrader Plus) with the Federal Ministry of Trade & Investments (Nigeria), and registered with the Federal Ministries of Petroleum Resources and Environment both of whom have certified it non-toxic and safe for use in the environment after subjecting it to necessary toxicity tests. In furtherance of endorsement of OBD-Plus, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources has given approval for its usage in the Oil and Gas Industry”. The product is currently being used by some companies and organizations in Nigeria.
The IITRED Research Award Committee, in consultation with other experts has found OBD-Plus as an excellent agent for environmental management as it breaks down solid wastes (garbage) into nutrient rich organic fertilizer within 4 weeks. It also removes odour, enhances oil drilling technology, purifies sewage and industrial effluents into clean water and bio-remediates oil polluted environments, land and water.
The ceremony attracted dignitaries and academics from home and abroad. The Distinguished Research Seminar/Awards & Dinner which took place in Abuja Sheraton Hotel & Towers has as its theme-" Achieving National Transformation through Commercialization of Research and Development Outputs".
Declaring the award ceremony open, Vice Chairman, International Institute for Training, Research and Economic Development, Ambassador (Dr.) Hassan Adamu, CON (Wakali' Adamawa) congratulated the awardee for his efforts. According to him, the award is a proof that your strides in Science and Research have not gone unnoticed. He commended him for demonstrating unparalleled vision and foresight laced with hard work, hence success is the reward. The Vice Chairman called on the academic world to intensify efforts in achieving more breakthroughs in Science, Research and Technology.
The occasion also witnessed the award of the Prize in Agricultural Research to the Nigerian Medicinal Plants Development Company (NMPDC) with Domestication and Commercialization of Artemesia annua as the winning entry.
Many papers were delivered by various Speakers on latest trends in Science, Agriculture and Technology at the seminar session. Professor P.A Onwualu, Director General, Raw Materials Research Development Council Abuja talked on “ Achieving National Transformation through Commercialization of Research and Development Outputs” while Professor Hayward Mafuyai, Vice Chancellor University of Jos, delivered a paper on “Breakthrough in the local production of Anti-malaria Herbs: Challenges of Commercialization.”
Others were Engr. (Dr) Charles Agulanna, Acting Director- General Project Development Agency (PRODA) Enugu, who dwelt extensively on Roadmap to achieving Self-Reliance in the production of Machine Tools for Industrial and Automobile plants in Nigeria. The Managing Director, Nigerian Medicinal Plants Development Company had Utilization of Research Findings of Medicinal Plants for Business as her paper.
Giving the vote of thanks, the CEO of IITRED, Mr. Sani Dawop described it as an International, Independent and non-profit making organization whose vision is to be one of the world class training and Research Institutes providing value added services and issue-based research projects.
He promised not to relent in providing and promoting research and training for the benefit of technological advancement in Nigeria.