OAU Celebrates World Environment Day 2024 with IoT Training, Quiz Competition, and Research Networking
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) celebrated World Environment Day 2024 with a series of events organized by the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies and the Environmental Control and Management Students Association (ECOMSA) from June 3 to June 5, 2024.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
The Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), in collaboration with the Environmental Control and Management Students Association (ECOMSA), marked World Environment Day 2024 with a series of educational and engaging events from June 3 to June 5, 2024.
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The celebration commenced with a follow-up to the February 2024 workshop on the deployment of IoT-based real-time surface water pollution monitoring sensors. Organized by the Solid Waste, Wastewater, and Environmental Chemistry (SwWECh) unit, this workshop included the installation of IoT sensors at OAU's Opa Dam. The ongoing initiative underscores the university's commitment to environmental monitoring and sustainability.
A key highlight of the event was a training session on IoT-based data handling and sensor calibration, led by Professor Clement Onime from Italy. This session attracted postgraduate students, alumni, and undergraduates from the Faculty of Science, facilitating research networking and potential future collaborations. The director of the Institute, Professor (Mrs) A. A. Okoya, expressed her gratitude to Professor Onime and visiting alumni, including Professor J. Oluwole Olowoyo from the USA and Dr. A. B. Akinyele from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, for their invaluable contributions.
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The theme for this year's World Environment Day was “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience,” with the slogan “Our Land, Our Future.” The events emphasized the critical issues of water pollution and its impacts on health and wealth.
The celebration also featured a quiz competition, where winners received monetary prizes and certificates. The top three winners were Okeleye Samson Opeyemi (Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies), Ojo Israel (Zoology Department), and Ayoola Rodiyyah (Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies). Indoor games and additional research networking opportunities added to the event's appeal.
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Professor Okoya praised the dedication of the core staff and the student staff adviser, Dr. A. T. Oyewale, acknowledging their roles in the program's success. The event showcased OAU's commitment to environmental education and innovation, fostering a collaborative spirit among students and faculty.
