NSUK Professor Delivers 39th Inaugural Lecture, Seeks The Use of SWAPSI As A Remedy To Check Animal Feed Crises
NSUK Lecturer Delivers 39th Inaugural Lecture, Seeks The Use of SWAPSI As A Remedy To Check Animal Feed Crises.
The utilization of Solid Waste Products of Sugar Industry SWAPSI if properly harnessed can be a panacea for the growing animal feed crises the country is facing.
This was the recommendation of Samuel Emmanuel Alu, Professor of Animal Nutrition and Biochemistry when he delivered the 39th Inaugural Lecture Series of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, titled “Solid Waste Product Of Sugar Industry (SWAPSI) A Global Viable Recourse For Animal Feed Crises” which took place on Wednesday 28th February 2024 at the Assembly Hall of the University.
Professor Alu opined that sugar industries are well-known for producing table sugars from sugarcane plants and the liquefied by-products arising from processing called molasses are mostly used as sweeteners by animal feed millers.
However, according to Professor Alu, the solid wastes such as the bagasse, scrapings, and peels are not extensively exploited because they are novel to feed millers and local pig and poultry farmers as such they are frequently cast off as waste and are barely recycled by native crop farmers as mulching materials in areas where inorganic fertilizers are not available or affordable.
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To make this a reality, the erudite Professor of Animal Science and Biochemistry recommended that the Federal Government should formulate guidelines that would inspire sugar industries to transmute the wastes into sustainable animal feed ingredients rather than approving the traditional burning of this nutrient-rich material or continuing to lay waste. This, he said can be accomplished by engaging the relevant expertise in Agricultural Engineering to conceptualize the components of the sugar factory that would accommodate such processing.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Professor Suleiman Bala Mohammed stated that the lecture couldn't have at a much better time than now when the country is battling the issue of food insecurity, he noted that the lecture will provide policy decisions that governments will use to address challenges that are bedevilling the agricultural sector. The Vice-Chancellor also used the medium to applaud the immediate past chairman of the Inaugural Lecture Committee, Professor Gideon Omachonu for successfully organising the past series of lectures and he also appreciated the quality dignitaries that the inaugural lectures have drawn over time.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the University Inaugural Lecture Committee, Professor Olumuyiwa Jayeoba while welcoming guests and dignitaries to the event charged other professors who are yet to deliver their inaugural lecture to seize the encouraging opportunity created by University to present their inaugurals.
The colourful event was witnessed by dignitaries such as the paramount ruler of the mada chiefdom, the Chun Mada, HRH Pastor Samson Gamu Yare, the Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, who was represented by the Hon. Commissioner for Education, Mr. John W. Mamman, and the ASUU President who was represented by the ASUU Vice President Professor Chris Piwuna.
Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Professor Shehu Abdurrahman, the immediate Vice-Chancellor of NSUK, and current Vice-Chancellor of Prime University Abuja, Professor Muhammad Akaro Mainoma, and the Vice-Chancellor of Bingham University, Karu, Professor Haruna Kuje Ayuba amongst many other dignitaries who attended the event.
The high point of the event was the presentation of a plaque of honour to the inaugural lecturer by the Vice-Chancellor.
Professor Samuel Emmanuel Alu the 39th Inaugural Lecturer is the current Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian University, ASUU, NSUK Chapter.