Nelson Abila
Nelson received his grant of £2,891 to allow him to attend a course on Practical General Equilibrium Modeling with the General Algebraic Modelling System organized by the Ecomod Modeling School, Brussels, Belgium (www.ecomod.net).
Nelson is a graduate student of Agricultural Economics at the University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. The university (http://www.unaab.edu.ng/) is one of the three universities of agriculture in Nigeria with the mandate to promote sustainable agricultural production through research and training.
Nelson gained his first degree in agricultural economic and extension, from the Federal University of Technology, Yola-Nigeria. He is currently preparing for his doctoral program specializing in agricultural/ environmental economics, under the tutelage of the renowned Agricultural and Environmental Economist – Professor Peter Okuneye.
He is a committed advocate of agriculture and rural development and has been involved in translating the development agenda of a local NGO – Busho Serenity Foundation into meaningful projects including organizing alternative livelihood workshops and trainings, facilitating linkage between poor farmers and research institutions, coordinating community resource and information centre and developing new projects, all in an effort to improve rural life and enhance sustainable agricultural production and environment in Ondo State, Nigeria.
Nelson is a member of the International Association of Agricultural Economists, International Association for the study of common properties and World Academy of Young Scientists.
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2007
It was much delight to be one of the pioneer recipients of the Orskov Foundation Graduate grant for 2006. The award for a short training at the EcoMod Europe Modelling School based at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (Free University of Brussels), Belgium afforded me the opportunity to advance my career and to have a practical learning of the Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) modeling using GAMS. The objective of the course was to introduce me to all the basic tools for constructing and implementing large-scale applied general equilibrium models for policy analysis. The training provided hands-on practical computer based learning sessions combined with classroom learning sessions, interactions with peers and senior colleagues on the implementation of the various CGE Models and interpreting them.
The key motivation for the training in CGE economic modeling is tied to the increasing need for modeling as a viable tool for guiding policies (particularly those that are economic and environmental related) addressing various human challenges for upholding the well-being of the very poor, stimulating economic growth and development as well as maintaining environmental balance. Acquiring practical skills and capacity in modeling is crucial for a budding ecosystem/agricultural economist.
Since, the award of the grant and indeed the attendance of the short training course in economic modeling in Belgium in July 2006, a lot has changed and I have personally witnessed a professional leap. The training provided a platform for establishing contacts across the globe and belonging to a broad network of professionals. This has facilitate ideas sharing, keeping abreast with development in all areas of modeling, including the emerging areas such as green and urban-modeling and regular communications with colleagues who have become friends – stimulating new professional interests and providing encouragement in the research and development.
I would say the training marked a unique turning point and successful cross over from the mainstream agricultural economics to a more robust and diversified applications of economics particularly for issues relating environment, energy and ecosystem. I heard a brooding interest in environmental economic modeling which the Orskov grant and indeed the training in CGE modeling with GAMS has helped greatly to refine. If has refined my professional focus. Before the attendance of the course, my knowledge of the wider picture of the interplay between factors in the environment and how such elements and the pursuance of the human needs and wants such as food, shelter, leisure, luxury affect the general equilibrium of the environment and the global ecosystem was scanty. This equilibrium balance is the key to environmental sustainability. Though the training dwelled much on open and closed economy modeling, it provided a basis modeling issues relating to agriculture, environment and climate change. The course introduction and the closing remarks by the leading modeler and professor – Professor Ali Bayar brought into focus the all-important essence of our modeling in shaping national and international policies for attaining economic development and growth, environmental sustainability and indeed other related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in poor countries.
For me, the training has bridged the gap between the mainstream agricultural economics training at the bachelors and master’s education level and my long held interest – environmental economics. The grant has laid the foundation for acquiring knowledge and indeed advanced practical skills in environmental economics. Following, the intensive introductory training, I have been soaked in acquiring more knowledge and necessary skills in environmental economics to be able to contribute to the attainment of the global environmental sustainability and indeed all other related Millennium Development Goals. Though, there is still the need to attend the advanced modeling course with special focus on environmental economics and dealing with issues such as climate change, ecosystem degradation, loss of biodiversity, energy and human activities, I have been set forth on my desired path.
The surge and consolidation of interests followed by the acquisition of more practical skills in environment sparked by the training launch my professional foray. With a deeper insight into how every elements of climate and the environment interact and the economic implications which, are captured in the models we build, I realized more other related practical skills and techniques are necessary in pushing for sustainable environment. Beyond the economic modeling, are other skills such as the application of GIS mapping and tracking with GPS, carbon stock measurement and carbon sequestration capacity valuation?
This combination of professional advancements in environment has been helpful in my field works gathering data for modeling climate, energy and environment issues in Nigeria. Though, I had to suspend my PhD pursuits in Nigeria, I have a renewed urge for looking elsewhere and I look forward to moving over to the Columbia University, New York for a PhD in Sustainable Development by fall 2008.
On job, aspects of the knowledge acquired in training has been very helpful in my engagements in the last eight (8) months including a consultancy with Winrock International on Biomass Energy study in Nigeria which assessed the potentials of agricultural wastes and biomass from other sources for generating energy and stemming climate change and environmental degradation. My current engagement is promoting and valuating ecosystem services to engender environmental sustainability in Nigeria. Also, as an Impact Analysts I have been involved in impact assessment of agricultural development, social development and environmental projects by corporate organizations across Nigeria.
On the benefit to my community and nation, my professional advancement as an individual reflect my increasing capacity to contribute to promoting projects that alleviates poverty and enhance environmental sustainability such as those mentioned above. Apart from these, as a indigene of one of the United Nations Millennium Villages (Ikaram), I have been volunteering and contributing to ensure the attainment of the MDGs in my village by providing complementary – local knowledge and technical skills.
Finally, the Ørskov grant and training has jumpstart my participation in the global advocacy and practice for sustainable environment and poverty alleviation.
