By Amos Tauna
Kaduna (Nigeria)– Member representing Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Sunday Marshall Katung, has appealed to the Federal and the Kaduna State governments to immortalise late renowned Nigerian scientist, Professor Andrew Jonathan Nok.
Katung in a statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna, northwest Nigeria Friday expressed deep sadness over the sudden death of Professor Nok, and that his contributions to Nigeria’s academic environment and Kaduna State should not be forgotten in a hurry.
He noted that such a reputable scientist who discovered the gene responsible for enzymes that cause trypanosomiasis commonly known as sleeping sickness, should be immortalised by the same federal government that gave him the Nigerian National Order of Merit Award (NNOM) in 2010 by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Kaduna State government, the Lawmaker suggests, should name a state owned institution after late Professor Nok, who died on active service as Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology.
The lawmaker said, the death of Nok is a monumental loss not just to Kaduna state but to the federal government and the entire world.
“He was a humble patriot, a nationalist, an academic enthusiast, and a man of uncommon peace.
“He was a perfect gentleman that lived his life without bias. His life is worthy of emulation and the vacuum he left has become a challenge to others to rise up, fill it and surpass his achievements for the betterment of humanity.
“The best way we can continue to remember the contributions of this renowned scientist is to name an institution after the late Professor of Biochemistry whose discovery in the world of science has placed Nigeria in the annals of history,” he explained.
