The Association of Nigerian Geographers (ANG) says it will honour two ministers, a governor and two others for their outstanding contributions to national development.
Prof. Nasiru Idris, the Chairman, Central Local Organising Committee of the association’s 58th AGM, disclosed this to newsmen on Monday in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Idris said the beneficiaries would be presented with merit awards at the ANG forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM).
He listed other recipients as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Usani Usani Uguru, and the Minister of State for Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibrin.
Gov. Bindow Jibrilla of Adamawa would also be honoured at the AGM, said the chairman.
The other awardees include Prof. Mohammed Mainoma, Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), and Late Dr Akwa Labaris, pioneer Head of Department of Geography, NSUK.
Idris, who is also the Head of Geography Department, NSUK, added that more than 500 participants were expected at the event from within and outside the country.
According to him, the theme of the association’s 58th AGM is: “Geography, Nation-Building and Environmental Change’’.
He said the event is scheduled to hold between March 12 and 17, at the NSUK.
“The conference is expecting over 500 participants from within and outside the country, and we are expecting their arrival from March 12th, 2017, while the opening ceremony will take place on March 13,’’ Idris said.
He said that the event would be chaired by the Minister of Water Resources and Rural Development, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, while the Minister of State for Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibrin, would deliver the key note address at the event.
He added that the plenary sessions at the event would feature important issues that would be handled by senior geographers, among others.
Idris also said that the conference would feature secondary school competition to select young geographers that would represent Nigeria at the International Geography Olympiad (iGeo) in Serbia, Belgrade, later in the year.
He added that participants would have a field trip to areas of geographical interest and exhibition to complement the theories in paper presentations and the practical aspect. (NAN)
AKW/EEM/MST