BioRTC, in collaboration with the office of the Honourary Special Adviser for Science, Research and Innovation To His Excellency, Honourable Mai Mala Buni, initiated Research and Innovation Challenge for Yobe State indigenes. The prizes for this competition were awarded by the Governor of Yobe State during the 14th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Young Academy that was held in Damaturu 27 to 28 August 2024.

The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Honourable Idi Barde Gubana, presented cheques worth Two Million Naira to the beneficiaries of brilliant innovations and top paper research.

The Director and Founder of BioRTC, Dr. Mahmoud Bukar Maina, who doubled as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Science, Research, and Innovation, said the awards were given based on the call for applications tagged “Yobe State Research and Innovation Challenge 2024” and announced in January 2024 which ended on 31st of May with the award categories that included; Brilliant Innovations and Top Research Paper Award.

Dr Maina revealed that the selection was as a result of detailed presentations and a thorough review by expert judges; where Mohammed Auwal from Bursari Local Government Area emerged as the first-place winner in Brilliant Innovations, with Muhammad Mustapha from Geidam Local Government Area securing the second spot, and Adamu Aliyu from Nangere Local Government Area taking third place.

He further explained that the research category of the award winners were selected after receiving numerous submissions of high-caliber research papers. Each paper underwent an extensive review to assess its eligibility, significance in the field, and the contribution of the authors. The authors must be from Yobe State, indigenes and working in the state.

The winners are Idi Mohammed from Yobe State University, taking first place, followed by Mohammed Bukar Maina, also from Yobe State University, in second place, and Harisu Abdullahi Shehu, receiving an honorary award for his outstanding research contributions from the diaspora.

During the awards ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of Yobe State University, Prof. Mala Mohammed Daura, commended the efforts of Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, for BioRTC and Yobe State University in general.

Prof. Daura said BioRTC is attracting researchers within and outside the country considering the equipment located in the centre. Therefore, all efforts will be made to continue to support the Centre.