The Nigerian Embassy as a Science Hub
Archeological finds and new species discovery on the embassy’s agenda
June 24th, 2024
The past months have been eventful for the Nigerian embassy in Berlin, as it took pride in the official naming of three new species discovered by Nigerian scientists and the return of a Benin Bronze Head by a private collector.
At the end of April, a Benin Bronze Head was voluntarily returned to two officers from the Embassy of Benin in Berlin by a private collector.
The significance of Benin Bronze Heads comes from their symbolic connection to destiny and the character of the individual. They can be traced back to at least the 1500s when they were used to decorate The Royal Palace of the Kingdom of Benin, which is now Edo State, Nigeria.
More scientific endeavors followed, as again, in April, the Embassy took pride in the recognition of three Nigerian scientists who discovered three new species of insects.
Ambassador Bashir Basha attended an official ceremony at the Bavarian State Collection of Zoology where the scientists were honored and presented with naming certificates.
The new species were named as follows sonithaadetoun (in memory of Adetoun Tajuoso, late mother of Dr. Olanrewaju Tejuoso), sonithaadedapo (in honour of King (Dr.) Adedapo Tejuoso) and sonithaolanrewaju (in honour of Senator (Dr.) Olanrewaju Tejuoso).
At the ceremony, the Nigerian officials took the opportunity to discuss the establishment of a West African Biodiversity Preservation, Education and Research Centre in Abeokuta, Nigeria with the support of the Bavarian State Collection of Zoology.
References
- https://nigeriaembassygermany.org https://nigeriaembassygermany.org
