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Nobel Prize 2024: Groundbreaking Discoveries In Physics, Medicine Unveiled, Chemistry Next
The Nobel Prize season is upon us once again, with two categories already revealed and more to come in the following days.
This prestigious award, first established by the Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel in 1901, continues to honour those whose contributions have profoundly impacted humanity.
Spanning six prize categories — Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences — the Nobel Prizes are announced every October and presented in a grand ceremony on 10 December.
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The 2024 Nobel announcements began with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on 7 October, awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNA and its role in gene regulation.
A day later, on Tuesday, the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton, recognising their foundational contributions to machine learning through artificial neural networks.
Looking ahead, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry is slated to be announced today, 9 October, at 11:45 CEST.
Following that, the Nobel Prize in Literature will be revealed on Thursday, 10 October at 13:00 CEST, with the Peace Prize to be announced on Friday, 11 October at 11:00 CEST.
The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel will close out the announcements on Monday, 14 October at 11:45 CEST.
The Nobel Foundation, responsible for managing Nobel’s fortune, ensures that his vision—”to reward those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind”— is realized.
Since the first awards in 1901, the Nobel Prizes and the Economic Sciences Prize have been awarded 623 times to 1,004 laureates, with a total of 969 individuals and 27 organisations having been honoured.
Each year, the selection process begins with thousands of academicians, scientists, and parliamentary members worldwide submitting nominations.
These nominations have remained confidential for 50 years, preserving the integrity and mystique of the Nobel process. Details gathered from the Nobel Prize website were revealed to PUNCH Online.
As we await the rest of the 2024 laureates, it’s worth reflecting on how this remarkable tradition, now over a century old, continues to shape global discourse and inspire future generations.
-Only Nigerian Nobel Prize winner-
As of now, only one Nigerian has won the Nobel Prize: Wole Soyinka – Nobel Prize in Literature (1986)
Wole Soyinka, a renowned playwright, poet, and essayist, became the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986.
He was recognised for his wide-ranging works that blended traditional African theatre with Western literary forms, often exploring themes of oppression, tyranny, and human dignity.
His Nobel citation praised him for being a writer “who in a wide cultural perspective and with poetic overtones fashions the drama of existence.”
No other Nigerian has won a Nobel Prize in the various categories, making Soyinka’s achievement particularly significant for the nation and the African continent.
-Nobel Prize medal, prize amount-
The front of the gold Nobel Prize medal depicts Alfred Nobel. The image on the reverse varies according to the institution awarding the prize.
The current amount is at SEK 11 million per full Nobel Prize. A Nobel Prize can be awarded to up to three laureates who share the prize sum.
Nobel Prize in Physics
1901–2024: 118 prizes awarded to 227 laureates.
Nobel Prize in Chemistry
1901–2023: 115 prizes awarded to 194 laureates.
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
1901–2024: 115 prizes awarded to 229 laureates.
Nobel Prize in Literature
1901–2023: 116 prizes awarded to 120 laureates.
Nobel Peace Prize
1901–2023: 104 prizes awarded to 141 laureates.
Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences
1901–2023: 55 prizes awarded to 93 laureates.
Courtesy – The Punch
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the tragic death of Inspector Ajele Oloyede, who was on special duty at Goodwill Ceramic Company in Igbesa, Ado Odo-Ota Local Government Area.
In a statement on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, disclosed that the incident occurred on March 14, 2025, around 1:20 p.m.
Oloyede, who was attached to the 78 PMF, Zamfara State, was found dead from a gunshot wound under unclear circumstances.
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According to preliminary reports, another officer, Tolorunloju Stephen, attached to the Force Headquarters Annex in Lagos, recounted that he had just returned from Ikeja when he saw Inspector Oloyede resting his head on a table in the security office.
After exchanging pleasantries, Oloyede reportedly assured Stephen that he was fine.
Moments later, Stephen went to the restroom but was startled by the sound of a gunshot. He rushed back to find Oloyede lying in a pool of blood.
With the help of private security personnel, the injured officer was immediately transported to Ota General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by doctors.
The police confirmed that the firearm used in the incident has been recovered, and the body has been deposited for an autopsy.
Reacting to the incident, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, ordered a full-scale investigation to determine whether foul play was involved or if mental health issues contributed to the tragedy.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for further inquiry.
“The Nigeria Police Force expresses its deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of Inspector Ajele Oloyede. The command remains committed to the well-being of its officers and will ensure that all necessary support is provided during this difficult time,” Odutola stated.
Authorities assured the public that the findings of the investigation would be made known once concluded.
Nine surveyors abducted in the Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State have been released after their families paid a ransom of N20 million.
Recall that the victims were kidnapped a week ago while working at a site in Ilu-Abo.
Their captors initially demanded N100 million for their release.
However, following negotiations, market women intervened, pleading for a reduction to N50 million.
READ MORE: Ondo Market Women Block Governor’s Office Over Nine Abducted Surveyors
The kidnappers initially rejected the appeal before eventually settling for N20 million.
Confirming their release, Pastor Ajibade Owolanke, brother to the Ejemikin of Akure, High Chief Oluwole Omotayo, said: “The victims have joined their individual family members.”
It was gathered that after regaining their freedom, the surveyors were taken to different hospitals for medical examinations.
The abduction sparked widespread outrage in the state, prompting market women and youths in Akure to stage a protest.
The demonstrators urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and security agencies to take decisive action against the rising wave of kidnappings in the state.
Security authorities have yet to comment on any arrests related to the incident.
More to follow………..
The Nigerian government has taken a decisive step to curb access to pornographic content in the country, as the House of Representatives directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to enforce a total shutdown of porn websites nationwide.
The directive, issued during plenary on Tuesday, mandates internet service providers to block access to such sites, with penalties for non-compliance.
The motion was sponsored by Dalhatu Tafoki, representing the Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa Federal Constituency, who emphasized the need to protect societal values.
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“I would like to move a motion for the need to block internet websites hosting pornographic content and sanction the internet service providers responsible for the posting,” Tafoki stated.
“Nigeria is a highly religious country, and all the major religions in the country forbid nudity and obscenity in any form.”
He further highlighted concerns raised by psychologists and sociologists regarding the negative impact of pornography, stating that it leads to “promotion of adultery, prostitution, and other promiscuous behaviours, leading to addiction, escalation, and desensitisation, change of attitude towards oneself and family.”
The House adopted the motion and tasked its Committees on Communications and Legislative Compliance with overseeing implementation, with a report expected within four weeks.
Speaker Tajudeen Abass reinforced the stance, warning that internet service providers who fail to comply will face sanctions.
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