By Emmanuel Mogbede
Mr Obadiah Nkom, President Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), has expressed confidence that with current government efforts, Nigeria and the world would overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nkom gave the assurance in a statement on Monday in Abuja, while commemorating with geologists in the country on the occasion of 2020 Geologists Day.
He, however decried the disruption of plans by the society to celebrate the 2020 Geologists Day, saying the celebration “has been some what muted by the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic”.
Nkom, who is a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, and also the Director-General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, assured that the 2021 Geologists Day celebration would be elaborate.
He commiserated with the families of the victims of COVID-19 and prayed for the speedy and permanent recovery of those who were currently undergoing treatment.
He, however, called on geologists in the country to exhibit high standard of professionalism and to stay abreast with developments in the profession.
This, he said, was critical to enable them to effectively contribute their quota to national development.
Nkom also encouraged individuals and corporate members of the society to embrace and improve innovation.
“As we mark this very important day, I wish you all a happy celebration and in the same vein, urge each and every one of us to stay safe by fully complying with protocols prescribed in order to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Geologist Day was initiated by Soviet Geologists in 1966.
The day has become a global event and geologists and their colleagues in the mining industry use the opportunity to draw attention to geologists and the activities of their profession.
The COVID-19 which is presently ravaging the world, has since been declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation.
The Federal Government also declared a two weeks lockdown in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun while several other states had followed suit.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NDDC), over 200 persons has tested positive to the COVID-19 virus with Lagos having the highest number followed by Abuja, while five death had so far been recorded.
Credit: NAN