By Abubakar Imam
A Professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry, University of Ilorin, Adenike Modinah Abdul-Raheem, has urged constituted authorities to ensure the immediate institutionalisation of a punishment and reward system that would encourage the sanitation of the environment.
Prof. Abdul-Raheem stated this last Thursday (July 11, 2024) while delivering the 262nd Inaugural Lecture, titled “The Sojourn of a Physical Environmental Chemist Exploring Environmental Impact in the Life of a Man” at the University Auditorium.
The Inaugural Lecturer, who is the first female Professor of Chemistry produced by the University of Ilorin, explained that the system should also be extended to the higher education sector in order to achieve a rewarding, peaceful, clean and buoyant economy.
The renowned Professor of Environmental Chemistry also enjoined the government to provide adequate funding and state-of-the-art equipment necessary for ground-breaking research in Physical Environmental Chemistry to all higher institutions. She added that the support would facilitate infrastructure upgrade, regular monitoring and pollution control measures.
Prof. Abdul-Raheem also urged all the strata of government to ensure that their Environmental Protection Agencies (EPAs) are made functional and effective in order to aid collaboration among governmental agencies, local communities and environmental agencies for more innovative and sustainable solutions to soil, water and air pollution.
The Inaugural Lecturer added that it is crucial to effectively implement environmental management policies because doing so would mitigate the risks posed by heavy metal contamination in soil near dumpsites, water and air for maintaining soil, water and ambient air quality and safeguarding public health.
Prof. Abdul-Raheem also called for collaboration between industries and the Chemistry Departments in higher institutions, saying that such collaboration would develop biodegradable plastics from renewable sources to address plastic waste and protect marine ecosystems.
She also appealed to Chemistry Departments in higher institutions of learning to partner with international organisations like the United Nations to enhance their environmental chemistry research.
Prof. Abdul-Raheem, who is a former Deputy Director of UNILORIN Renewable Energy Centre (UREC), also charged physical environmental chemists to unite with biologists, biochemists, engineers, medical personnel and social scientists in interdisciplinary research needed to effectively tackle complex environmental challenges.
She noted that those collaborative efforts will advance biomimetic technologies and sustainable energy initiatives and harness diverse expertise for effective solutions.
Prof. Abdul-Raheem also enjoined heads of local government councils to prioritise community engagement for environmental sustainability and social inclusivity. She added that they should specifically partner with the Chemistry Departments of institutions of higher learning within their localities to empower local communities with sustainable practices through collaborative research and environmental chemistry expertise.
The Inaugural Lecturer also urged governments and managements of higher institutions to create a clean and hygienic environment and develop strategies that would bring about zero tolerance for open defecation. This, she said, would promote quality public health.
Drawing inspiration from her personal experience, particularly since she joined the services of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdul Raheem urged senior academics to always support the junior ones in order to facilitate their growth within the academic system.
The Inaugural Lecture, which was presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, was also attended by Principal Officers of the University, a former Vice Chancellot of the University, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Prof. Musbau Akanji, Prof. I.B. Oloyede, colleagues, friends as well as former and current students of Prof Abdul-Raheem.