Prof. Abdul-Raheem Advocates for Environmental Sanitation in UNILORIN 262nd Inaugural Lecture
Prof. Abdul-Raheem urges comprehensive environmental policies and interdisciplinary research for sustainable solutions to pollution.
Mary Nwaeze 
The University of Ilorin's 262nd Inaugural Lecture was delivered by Professor Adenike Modinah Abdul-Raheem, Head of the Department of Chemistry, urging authorities to institutionalize a comprehensive punishment and reward system for environmental sanitation. The lecture, titled "The Sojourn of a Physical Environmental Chemist Exploring Environmental Impact in the Life of a Man," took place at the University Auditorium.
Prof. Abdul-Raheem, the first female Professor of Chemistry at UNILORIN, highlighted the need for this system within higher education to foster a cleaner and more sustainable economy. She emphasized the importance of adequate funding and advanced equipment for environmental chemistry research, which would enable infrastructure upgrades, consistent monitoring, and pollution control.
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The Professor called on all levels of government to activate and enhance their Environmental Protection Agencies (EPAs) to foster collaboration among governmental bodies, local communities, and environmental organizations, aiming for innovative and sustainable solutions to pollution issues.
Effective implementation of environmental management policies is crucial, Prof. Abdul-Raheem noted, to mitigate the risks posed by heavy metal contamination in soil, water, and air. She advocated for partnerships between industries and Chemistry Departments in higher institutions to develop biodegradable plastics from renewable sources, addressing plastic waste and protecting marine ecosystems.
Prof. Abdul-Raheem also urged Chemistry Departments to collaborate with international organizations like the United Nations to enhance their research capabilities. She called for interdisciplinary collaboration among environmental chemists, biologists, engineers, medical professionals, and social scientists to address complex environmental challenges effectively.
She advised local government leaders to prioritize community engagement for environmental sustainability, collaborating with nearby Chemistry Departments to empower local communities with sustainable practices through joint research efforts.
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In her lecture, Prof. Abdul-Raheem stressed the importance of creating a hygienic environment and strategies to eliminate open defecation, thereby promoting public health. Drawing from her experience at the University of Ilorin, she encouraged senior academics to mentor junior colleagues to aid their academic development.
The lecture was presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, and attended by Principal Officers of the University, former Vice Chancellors Prof. Ishaq Oloyede and Prof. Musbau Akanji, Prof. I.B. Oloyede, colleagues, friends, and current and former students of Prof. Abdul-Raheem.
For more information, contact:
+234 1 200 0000 | registrar@unilorin.edu.ng
