Professor Alexander O.E. Animalu was born on 28 August 1938, Oba in Anambra State of Nigeria. He attended the Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha (1952–1958) earning grade 1 in the West African School Certificate 1956 and Cambridge Higher School Certificate (in science subjects) in 1958. He earned the London Advanced Level Certificate (in Arts subjects) in January 1959 and in October 1959 joined the University College, Ibadan (now the University of Ibadan) on Shell-BP scholarship, graduating BSc (Mathematics) Second Class (Upper Division) at the top of his class in June 1962. He won the Faculty of Science Prize for best performance for two consecutive years (parts I and II), as well as the College Postgraduate Scholarship that saw him through the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (1962–65) where he obtained MA (Cantab.) and PhD (Mathematics) (Ibadan) in Theoretical Solid State Physics. Between 1966–76 worked in various American institutions, Stanford University (1966/67) and finally at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge (1972–76). He returned to Nigeria in 1976 to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as Professor of Theoretical Solid State Physics; was appointed Director and Chief Executive of the National Mathematical Center, Abuja (April 1999–January 2001). He retired in June 2001 as Emeritus Professor of Physics to become the founding Chairman/CEO of the Institute for Basic Research, a non-governmental Research Institute with Headquarters in the United States and branches in Italy and Kazakhstan. For his contributions to national development, Professor Animalu received the 2000 Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) Award for Basic Science and became the President of Nigeria Academy of Science (the Apex scientific organization in Nigeria) (2001/02), since 2001 he is a member of the Honorary Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology in Nigeria.
HIGHLIGHTS OF A WORKSHOP FOR RETRAINING MATHEMATICS TEACHERS IN NIGERIA
The proceedings of a workshop for Re-training Mathematics Teachers at the University of Nigeria Secondary School, Nsukka, 9–11 December 2002, will be presented. The objective of the Workshop was to enhance the knowledge and ability of mathematics teachers to teach the subject by enabling them to: 1) update their knowledge of relevant mathematical concepts; 2) become proficient in the use of innovative methods and strategies in the presentation of the content of secondary school mathematics to the pupils; 3) acquire skills and competencies in mathematics teaching, and 4) relate mathematics to other mathematical sciences and to life.
The selection of resource persons was in such a way as to bring together experts from the University of Nigeria (Departments of Mathematics and of Science Education), University of Nigeria Secondary School (UNSS) and the National Mathematical Centre, under the coordination of a nongovernmental Institute for Basic Research (IBR) and funded by the UNSS Board of Governors. In this way, it was ensured that the Workshop took off expeditiously with considerable reduction of bureaucratic bottlenecks and costs. The number of participants was limited to 26 teachers selected from the UNSS and Nsukka Education Zone.
The 3-day intensive Workshop covered lectures on:
- Teaching Strategies: Teaching Methods, Ethno-Mathematical concepts, Generating and Sustaining Interest in Maths Classroom, Attraction and Retention of Mathematics Teachers, Evaluation Process.
- A Qualified Mathematics Teacher: Effective Use of Teaching Aids, Effective Supervision of Mathematics Teachers, Teaching Modules, Managing Crowded Lessons, Remedial Lessons for Slow Learners, Qualities of Mathematics Teachers.
- Strategies for Popularization of Mathematics in Schools: Popularization of Teaching/Learning Mathematics, Strategies for Effective Counseling of Students in the Study of Mathematics, Role of Mathematical Games, Strategies for Effective Teaching of some Mathematics Topics and Use of Reader–Friendly Textbooks in Schools.
- Mathematics and Science Materials Support for Secondary Schools: Geometrical Models of Simple Solids, and a multimedia show on Learning Science (from the Indian Academy of Sciences).
- The Course of Discipline: The role of parents; Role of the Parent/ Teacher Association; Different acts of indiscipline, their causes and disciplinary measures.
The resource materials distributed to participants included Mathematics Teaching Modules (books) and Mathematical Games developed by the National Mathematical Center; lecture notes and materials prepared by resource persons, models of solid geometry designed by IBR and built by the Science Equipment Development Institute (SEDI), Enugu. Also presented for motivation was the Biography of Professor Chike Obi–the Foremost African Mathematical Genius of the 20th century.
The Workshop was adjudged successful by the participants.