A professor of Chemistry, Prof. Raphael Mordi, has urged the government to develop a model where waste can be turned into wealth for the economic benefit of the country and the survival of the ecosystem.
Mordi made the call at the 3rd Inaugural Lecture of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, on Thursday in Abeokuta.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the lecture is “A Journey into Chemistry of Waste, Wealth and Health”.
The don decried the ineffectiveness of the waste management system in Nigeria, saying more efforts were needed so as to generate wealth for the nation’s economic survival.
He raised concerns about the environmental problems caused by plastic waste disposal, hence the need to harness ways to use them for wealth creation.
“Not only do these plastic wastes make the environment unsightly, but questions have also been raised concerning the uncertainty over the degradation byproducts and whether the additives in the materials would present health problems.
“For waste, wealth and health to change the narrative in turning waste to wealth and for a safer environment, the government must, as a matter of urgency, plan its developmental progress to benefit all.
“If we, as a nation, can gather the plastics and treat them as waste, this will boost the gross domestic product of the country in no small measure,” he said.
On how government and industries can collaborate and implement effective waste management strategies, Mordi noted that the government should provide start-up funds for the industries to be able to achieve such synergy.
“Government needs to be sincere about investing in waste. If they’re determined to succeed in generating wealth from waste, then it will be done.
“There are people who are willing to do these things, but we know it’s capital intensive, and that’s where government comes in, by helping them to start up,” he said.
Going further, the professor of Chemistry related the use of bush mango, ogbono and banana leaves as alternative medicine solutions to bacterial and fungal infections.
He explained that bacterial and fungal infections have become a global concern because of the increased resistance to antimicrobial agents such as antibiotic drugs, stressing that new variants of strains have emerged which are multidrug resistant.
He added that the prevalence of anti-drug resistance by disease-causing micro-organisms has necessitated the search for alternative sources of drugs for the treatment of the ailments caused by these micro-organisms.
In her welcome remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Oyedunni Sola-Arulogun, commended the lecturer for his in-depth understanding of the theme.
She urged students and other participants to listen with rapt attention and take advantage of the knowledge being passed on to them. (NAN)
