UNICAL Professor Outlines Key Actors in the Success or Failure of Gully Erosion Projects
A Professor of Geomorphology at the University of Calabar, Prof. Eze Bassey Eze, has highlighted three critical actors—"Saints, Wizards, and Demons"—as determinants of the success or failure of policies addressing Gully Erosion (GE).
philips22 
A Professor of Geomorphology at the University of Calabar, Prof. Eze Bassey Eze, has highlighted three critical actors—"Saints, Wizards, and Demons"—as determinants of the success or failure of policies addressing Gully Erosion (GE).
Presenting the university's 132nd Inaugural Lecture titled Gully Erosion in Cities: The Role of Saints, Wizards, and Demons at the UNICAL International Conference Centre, Prof. Eze described the "saints" as government and agency officials who initiate and fund GE control projects. The "wizards" are technocrats who execute the projects, while the "demons" undermine their success, prioritizing personal gains over public interest.
He further categorized these "demons" as corrupt officials, those misusing gully-adjacent lands, contractors cutting corners, and individuals blocking drainage systems. Highlighting the triggers of gully erosion—such as unplanned urbanization, heavy rainfall, and soil texture—he emphasized that Southern Nigeria is particularly at risk.
Prof. Eze recommended measures such as grass pasture cultivation, proactive erosion management, banning sand mining along gullies, and proper waste disposal practices to mitigate GE.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, represented by her Deputy, Prof. Peter Okafor, praised the lecture as impactful and revealing. The event concluded with the presentation of a memento to the lecturer.
