The Nigerian Institute of Physics (NIP), on Tuesday, said that a strong collaboration between the Federal Government and the institute would reduce the security challenges in the country.
President of NIP, Prof, Hycienth Aboh, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on the sidelines of the institute’s 41st Annual Conference in Lafia.
The theme of the 2018 conference is ‘Insecurity and Challenges of National Development- Physics as a tool’.
Aboh said physics plays a crucial role in every aspect of a society, including security, hence the conviction that a strong collaboration between the institute and the government would yield positive results for the country, especially in the area of security.
“You will be wondering what role can physics play. Physics is virtually life; it is the mother of sciences.
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“It is involved in agriculture, thereby helping to reduce food insecurity; most of the farm implements and agro inputs you see are all physics-related.
“Again, look at the armaments we have; that is the area most people will see physics as being relevant.
“Recently, the Nigerian Air Force launched some drones to fight terrorism; most of those who did that are physicists within the Air Force,” Aboh said.
According to him, the production of armaments to fight insecurity is all physics; so, these are parts of what will be discussed at the conference.
He was optimistic that the communiqué to be issued at the end of the programme would induce serious collaboration between the government and the institute.
Aboh said that such partnership would enable NIP to advice the government appropriately on diverse issues, especially the earth tremor that occurred in Abuja recently.
“Recently, we had two cases of earth tremor; one in Kaduna and one in Mpape area of Abuja. These are geological issues that are studied by those of us who read geophysics.
“These are issues that will be tackled through a vibrant synergy between the government and the institute, because we have a reservoir of professors of physics who are willing to give expert advice on issues related to physics,” he said.
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Aboh noted that apart from tackling security challenges, the collaboration between the institute and the government would help in promoting physics, especially among women and students who shy away from the course.
“This is where I urge government to engage NIP to demystify this idea among students that physics is a difficult subject. Physics is virtually involved in everything in life.
“We are doing our bit to re-orientate the public, to bring the female folks into physics, and to enable them to realise that physics is not difficult,” the professor said.
The conference will end on October 12. NAN
