IAUE Professor Calls for Responsible Science to Safeguard Humanity

As peace experts prepare for the International Conference of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) scheduled for November 24–25, 2025, at the University of Ibadan, Professor Kemka Humphrey Ogbonda of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, has urged nations to centre discussions on how best to discourage irresponsible sciencing, describing it as crucial for achieving sustainable peace in a globalised world.

Professor Ogbonda made the call while delivering the 4th Valedictory Lecture of the university on the topic “Irresponsible Sciencing and the Future of Homo Sapiens Sapiens” at the Postgraduate Hall of the institution. The former Director of Research and Development stressed that irresponsible sciencing has contributed to the creation of weapons of war, terrorism, banditry, abductions, and global conflicts, adding that discouraging such practices would greatly enhance world peace.

He argued that when nations collaborate to end science that fuels wars and deviance, extremist groups such as Hamas, Houthis, Boko Haram, ISIS, ISWAP, militias, and Hezbollah would lose relevance, as the weapons of death sustaining them would no longer exist. According to him, responsible science must be built around non-violent action, non-violent struggle, and the preservation of humanity’s future.

The Professor of Environmental and Applied Microbiology further appealed to scientists to redirect their focus towards “green peace,” making science remain the hope of the people—positive, sane, and responsible. He particularly cautioned young, budding scientists against adopting irresponsible scientific attitudes and urged them to pursue knowledge with integrity and a sense of humanity.

Professor Ogbonda also encouraged the Professor Okey Onuchuku Foundation for Peace Studies to develop curricular and modules aimed at discouraging irresponsible sciencing, noting that such practices destroy world peace and threaten the survival of the human species.

He lamented that although human civilisation advanced through responsible scientific attitudes, irresponsible approaches later crept in, resulting in environmental crises, the creation of destructive weapons, intellectual dishonesty, erosion of morality, and even denial of the existence of God. Warning of the dangers posed by Artificial Intelligence, he stated that it represents one of the gravest threats to humanity’s survival if left unchecked.

Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, commended the Valedictory Lecturer for his contributions to the institution and to scholarship. He urged academics to aspire to retire in good health, assuring that Professor Ogbonda’s wealth of knowledge would still be called upon by the university even in retirement.

Professor Onuchuku also observed that while positive scientific attitudes advanced civilisation, modern science and technology often failed to fulfil their fundamental purpose of solving humanity’s problems. Instead, he noted, they had sometimes compounded those problems. He expressed concern over how Artificial Intelligence is making students lazy and fuelling plagiarism, calling on all stakeholders to ensure science is used responsibly.

In a vote of thanks, Professor Sam Otamiri lauded the Vice Chancellor for providing the platform for Professor Ogbonda’s valedictory lecture. He urged participants to appreciate their loved ones while they are alive rather than only after their passing.

The highpoint of the event was the unveiling and launch of the book “In the Footsteps of Reason: A Festschrift in Honour of Professor Kemka Humphrey Ogbonda” by staff of the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences.