NAN-HE- 16
Inauguration
By Cecilia Ologunagba
Abuja, Feb. 24, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Statistical Association (NSA) in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Friday inaugurated the Young Statisticians wing in Abuja to equip young professionals on statistical issues.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the wing was inaugurated at the 2-day Workshop for Young Statisticians.
NSA’s President, Prof. Sidney Onyeagu, told NAN at the workshop that the wing would provide a forum for networking and exchange of information for early career statisticians in Nigeria.
Onyeagu also said the wing would promote the interest of early career statisticians and the broader community.
The president said that association had provided support for 60 students from 15 universities through workshop.
“What motivated the association is that, we have looked round the globe and even in Africa, and discovered that some countries have Young Statistical Association.
“South Africa has the ISIbalo Young African Statisticians (IYAS), and UK has Young Statisticians’ Section of the Royal Statistician Society.
“We base the establishment of the wing on students from universities and polytechnics.
“ It is important for us to cash them young so that by the time they finish the course, it will be in their mind to join the association.
“It will be in their mind to know who a good statistician is. We also want to train them on how to write papers at the younger stage.
‘’This is necessary so that when some of them become lecturers, they will be knowledgeable enough to pass the information to younger generation,’’ he said.
According to him, every young statistician is welcome to join the wing, especially students of statistics and graduates of the course in the last five years.
Onyeagu said that the innovation would also enhance the curriculum vitae (CV) of the young statisticians, enable them to interact globally; give them opportunities to meet peers and distinguished statisticians.
He further said that national Young Statisticians events would be organised and coordinated by the NSA young statisticians’ chairman.
Such events he said would include Biennial National Young Statisticians’ Conference, special sessions and social events at the Nigerian Statistical Association conferences.
“Also state activities are to be organised by the Young Statisticians representatives in each State Branch Council.’’
Meanwhile, some of the young statisticians who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the workshop had broadened their knowledge and helped them to network.
A female graduate of statistics, University of Ibadan, who said she was initially discouraged about the profession due to lack of job, commended the organisers of the workshop.
“I am happy that I was told I can volunteer in any of the parastatals to assist in any of their research work and l have signified my interest.
Similarly, a student of University of Abuja said the workshop was not in vain because he was able to network with others.
He said he learnt the importance of focusing on application of statistics rather than theoretical part of the course. (NAN)
CIA/BOLA/DUA
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Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Dada Ahmed