The Junior Geologists Club (JGC) has been established in Malami Academy, Nasarawa LGA of Nasarawa State, known for having one of the largest deposits of lithium in the country.
Engr. Abdullahi Sule, the governor of Nasarawa State, dubbed the ‘Home of Solid Minerals, said the state was already collaborating with the federal government to ensure orderly and profitable exploitation of the high-end mineral resources of the state.
The Junior Geologists Club aims to raise environmental awareness, cultivate and nurture young talents in the field of geology and mining while helping to facilitate an orderly development of mining in the state.
Speaking at the club-planting project of the GSN in Nasarawa, the president and co-founder of the Geological Society of Nigeria (a corporate promoter of the Junior Geologists Club), Mr. U. S. Malami, underscored the importance of placing geological knowledge at the fingertips of the young, stating that it would elicit their interests in earth science.
He explained that it would complement the effort of Gov. Abdullahi Sule-led government of the state to ensure that citizens get real value from lithium and other mineral resources.
He said: “We aim to equip these budding geologists with the knowledge, skills, and passion required to excel in their pursuit of earth sciences. Our ultimate goal is to prepare these enthusiastic champions to be comfortable in their environment and pursue academic excellence towards representing Nigeria at the International Earth Science Olympiad.”
Discussing the geographical scope which GSN intends for its JGC, Malami, who served as chairman, Board of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), stated: “The planting of the Junior Geologists Club in this school today is historic because I am confident that, as a society, we have started what will become a nationwide club that will flourish in all secondary schools, and play a key role in the establishment of a national earth science Olympiad,” stating that the old generation of geologists must rise up to the challenge of providing needed mentoring of the younger generation of geologists.
He noted that geology underpins the provision of essential resources like energy, oil and gas, solid minerals, water and food, which sustain people, and industries and plays a significant role in the socioeconomic well-being of society.
According to the GSN president, “As a professional society of patriotic geologists who understand the global importance of Geology in the economy of nations, the GSN would deploy the club as a platform that will help to equip junior and prospective geologists with knowledge they need to favourably participate in international earth science Olympiads.’
He explained that the establishment of the Club in Malami Academy marks the first step towards creating a platform for young minds to explore and delve into the fascinating world of geology.
According to him, ‘By harnessing their curiosity and channelling their energies into the Earth sciences, we hope to ignite a lifelong interest in the field and inspire future generations of geologists. We believe that knowledge and education should be accessible to all, regardless of location or socioeconomic background. Therefore, our vision extends beyond Malami Academy, and we aspire to take this initiative nationwide, introducing the Junior Geologists Club to secondary schools across the country.
“We expect that some juniors will go on and develop interest in the geology profession. They would discover nature, and also discover for themselves a means of livelihood, and become scientists and play a useful role in society,” he added.
‘However, to achieve this ambitious goal, we need your support. Whether you are an educator, industry professional, parent, or simply someone who recognizes the importance of nurturing young talent, we invite you to join hands with us on this journey. Your expertise, resources, and guidance will play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the Junior Geologists Club in reaching and impacting more students,” he said.
‘We enjoin you to stay tuned for updates on our progress and further details on how you can get involved. Your assistance, whether big or small, will make a significant difference in nurturing the geologists of tomorrow,” he added.
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