Bridging the Digital & Scientific Divide

Report of ANPA Delegation to the 2005 Abuja Conference on “Bridging the Digital and
Scientific Divides: “Forging Partnerships with the Nigerian Diaspora”
July 25-27, 2005
Submitted by:
Bato Amu, MD.
Obinna Asonye. MD

This report is a brief summary of the conference on science and Technology, Organized by Nigerian National Volunteer Services (NNVS) under the leadership of Honorable Joe Keshi, and the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

The meeting was very well organized at the Abuja Hilton Hotels with over three hundred participants representing various local Diaspora Organizations including the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA,) the Medical Association of Nigerian Specialists and General Practitioners in the British Isles (MANSAG) and the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) European and American chapters. It was also interesting to note the broad and diverse background of the participants.

Deliberations were not restricted to the health field but included other Technical areas like Information, Technology, Computer Science, Internet Access Development, Biotechnology, Biopharmaceuticals, Research and Development in areas like Sickle-Cell disease, HIV/AIDS. In fact, health care was in our view, minimized.

A total of eleven technical papers were presented. The Health, Basic and appliedSciences subcommittee was chaired by Professor O. Akinkugbe and co-chair was Dr. Oluwale Adujirun. The resolution of the health committee is attached for your review. The presentation by the ANPA delegates to the conference is also attached. The three day conference was concluded with a dinner banquet at the Hilton Hotel where most of the delegates stayed, expenses including food and board paid by the Federal government.

On Thursday, July 28, the Diaspora participants paid a courtesy visit to the President, Chief Olusegun Obasnajo at “Asorock”. We were surprise by the layers of security blocks at the Presidential Mansion. For some of us who met the President for the first time, it was good to know that he has a good sense of humor. He was genuinely interested in developing a strong relationship with Nigerians in the Diaspora. He admonished the attendees to seek ways to contribute to this daunting effort. He has directed NNVS to report directly to the office of the President so as to remove any bottlenecks.