In 2020, AFIDEP recognised and awarded three African Academy of Sciences (AAS) scholars who have demonstrated innovation with initiatives and interventions that promote evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) in government institutions in their countries. s a runners up, Dr. Eucharia Oluchi Nwaichi received a symbolic cash award of US$ 2,500. She was recognised for her interventions which have focused on increasing the space for women in science as well as actively promoting evidence use in the government of Nigeria. One of her initiatives is tailored to developing guidelines for evidence use in Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA). This initiative has fostered dialogues with policymakers and researchers.
The three scholars – winner and two runners up were awarded during a two-day Evidence Leaders in Africa virtual conference held on 3-4 November 2020. The virtual event brought together researchers mainly within the AAS networks, policymakers and practitioners in Africa to share lessons and experiences on researchers’ roles in strengthening evidence use in government decision-making. The conference is a culmination of a two-year project dubbed Evidence Leaders in Africa (ELA). Since inception in 2018, ELA has been using various approaches to expand leadership for use of evidence in policy formulation and implementation by African governments.
About Dr. Eucharia Oluchi Nwaichi
Eucharia is a Biochemist who has contributed significantly in the understanding of soil-plant-micro-organisms interactions and the influences of various farm inputs at remediation of polluted farms. She is poised with influencing policies with her science and increasing the space for women in science. Eucharia has travelled widely and has published her works in over 70 reputable journals. She has patented her plant-based technology for clean-up up of oil impacted soils and is concerned with sustainability of technologies. Again, she is passionately and actively pushing evidence informed policymaking and encouraging women and girls into science. Eucharia has received many awards and honors, including 2019 Fellow of Next Einstein’s Forum, 2016 Affiliate of the African Academy of Science, 2015 Fellow of Commonwealth, 2015 University of Port Harcourt Merit Awardee for numerous contributions, 2015 Honours roll of the Faculty of Science of the University of Port Harcourt, 2013 Fellow of UNESCO L’Oreal For Women in Science, among others.
Watch Acceptance Speech
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