International recognition for our very own Dr. Manu

A very big congratulations to our very own Director, Dr. Manu on the international recognition of his exceptional work in advancing ornithological research in Nigeria.

Photo by Nick Caro

The Marsh Award for International Ornithology was presented by the Duke of Edinburgh to Dr. Manu on Wednesday 29th October 2014 at an event hosted by the BTO and the Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA) at the Mall Gallery in London.

Photo by Nick Caro

The APLORI family in the UK including Tasso Leventis, Phil Hall, Will Cresswell, Dayo Osinubi, Mark Wilson and Sam Ivande were present along with many other important guests and friends to witness and celebrate this important occasion with him.

See below also for the BTO news release describing the event: 

Nigerian scientist receives prestigious British Ornithology award At a ceremony in London, Dr Shiiwua Manu was awarded the Marsh Award for International Ornithology for his exceptional work in advancing the knowledge of birds in Nigeria. Dr Manu is head of the A P Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI), the Biological Conservatory of the University of Jos, Nigeria. Under Dr Manu’s guidance up to eight West African students per year enrol in a MSc programme in Conservation Biology, with the aim of building much needed biodiversity conservation capacity in this part of Africa. The programme has been running for 12 years and has been hugely successful, with many alumni now working in renowned international conservation agencies operating in Africa. APLORI also hosts many researchers from Nigeria, other African countries, and around the world. These researchers work on a broad range of topics, from the ecology of the birds of the Jos Plateau, to broader questions about bird migration and wintering ecology of long-distance intra- and intercontinental migrants. The institute also supports research on other biota, including plants. Additionally, APLORI  undertakes community development work in the institute’s vicinity, to help educate local people about the region's biodiversity requirements, as well as to promote sustainable living alongside the birds and other wildlife supported by their immediate and wider surroundings. Many of the local people are employed in APLORI, and this contributes significantly to the local economy and fosters invaluable goodwill towards the conservation efforts of APLORI. Dr Manu oversees all of these initiatives, skilfully navigating the bureaucracy that can impede such endeavours in Nigeria. He thus ensures that APLORI remains a powerful force for conservation in West Africa. The award was presented by The Duke of Edinburgh at a ceremony hosted by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA) at the Mall Gallery in London. Dr Shiiwua Manu said,  "I am most grateful to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), UK , for this humbling recognition. The A P Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI) University of Jos Nigeria provided me the enabling environment for achieving this recognition. All my colleagues in APLORI as well as the Laminga Community (our host), from where we operate, contributed immensely to this recognition. I am also grateful to my family for supporting me always. I thank you all for bringing this propitious and wonderfully exhilarating occasion to be." Andy Clements, BTO Director said, "The Marsh Awards for Ornithology enable BTO to recognise the excellent work of ornithologists at a variety of scales, all of whom are partners with BTO in ensuring science contributes to conservation.  Dr Manu Shiiwua is an exceptional winner of the International Award, and his institute in Nigeria is a key partner in BTO's work to understand the ecology of our migrant birds in Africa." British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk.  IP24 2PU Registered Charity No: 216652 (England & Wales) SC039193 (Scotland) Company Limited by Guarantee No. 357284 (England & Wales)