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Sad as Nigerian Atomic Commission CEO, Prof. Mallam, others die in Kaduna gas explosion


Professor Simon Mallam is believed to be among those dead in the Kaduna explosion


The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) Professor Simon P. Mallam was among those killed in the Kaduna gas explosion.
About six persons were killed while several others sustained various degrees of burns as several gas cylinders exploded at a shop at the busy Sabon-Tasha area in Kaduna metropolis.
The explosion occurred at about 2p.m. on Saturday at a gas shop opposite Total Filling station, Sabon Tasha as the attendants were refilling a cylinder for one of their customers.
Immediately the explosion occurred, the entire Sabon-Tasha and surrounding quarters were thrown into confusion as people ran in all directions out of fear.
Born in Kagoro, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State on June 12th 1955, Prof. Mallam attended Government Secondary School Zaria where he obtained West African School Certificate in 1973.
In 1978 and 1984 he graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria with B.Sc. in Physics and M.Sc Nuclear Physics respectively.
In 1984, Prof. Mallam proceeded to France to further his education. Between 1984 and 1985, he enrolled at the C.A.R.E.L. Royan, France for an Intensive French Language Course and CERAVUM Montpellier, France Technical French Language Course.
In 1987, he graduated from the University of Paris VI, France with DEA. Molecular Biophysics. He obtained his Doctorate in Physics in 1990 from the University de Grenoble 1, France.
Prof Mallam has held several positions as an academic and administrator. From 1979 to 1984, he was Graduate Assistant – Assistant Lecturer, Physics Department, ABU, Zaria.
In 1984 he was made Research Fellow II and rose through the ranks to become a Professor in 2001. His specialized area of teaching over the years are in the fields of nuclear physics, health physics, instrumentation and dosimetry, solid state physics, application of radiation in the life science and radiation and radioactive waste safety and management. He has supervised and graduated numerous postgraduate thesis and dissertations.
Between 1999 to 2006 he was on several occasions Acting Director, Center for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Zaria. Other positions held by Prof. Mallam include among others; Head, Health Physics and Radiation Biophysics Section, CERT, ABU, Zaria (October 1995-Feb. 1996, October 1997-Jan 1998, April 1999 – Nov. 2006), Chairman, Radiation Protection Committee, and Chief Radiation Protection Officer ABU, Zaria 1999-2006, and National Project Coordinator (Nigeria) AFRA/IAEA Project on Radioactive Waste Management (Oct. 1996-date).
A Fellow, Nigeria Institute of Physics (2007) he has carried out researches in several areas and published numerous articles and journals. His researches are in the fields of Radiation and Nuclear Techniques in Biophysics, Medical Physics, Environment and Radiation Effects and Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Radioactive Waste Management. He has served in many Technical Advisory Committees both at the University, National and international levels. He has been the national coordinator of efforts at entrenching a radioactive waste management regime in the country.
However, the premises of major hospitals in Kaduna were besieged by families and friends of people believed to be near where an explosion occurred at a gas shop at the Sabon Tasha area in the metropolis.
The government in a statement by the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Internal security, Mr. Samuel Aruwan said its thoughts are with the families of the victims.

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