Oghenetejiri Nyerhovwo, Effurun
Chemicals provides lots of benefits that can help human beings to live better lives just as the chemicals we use can also be harmful if we don’t understand them.
This was disclosed by Prof. Doris Fovwe Ogeleka, Professor of Analytical Chemistry(Ecotoxicology) during the 5th Inaugural Lecture of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun(FUPRE), Delta State, she said that human beings are exposed to thousands of these chemicals or substances daily through the environment or the food we eat.
Prof. Ogeleka who is the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the University in the 5th Inaugural Lecture titled, “Ecotoxicology: Surveilling The Consequence of Chemicals In The Environment “ said that Ecotoxicology is the study of the effects of toxic chemicals on living things including man and the environment he lives in.
The Oviri Olomu born Professor of Analytical Chemistry said that it is appropriate to estimate as well as predict the impact of herbicides before damage is done to non-target organisms adding that workers, formulators and agricultural farm workers among others are exposed to negative impact during application.
According to Prof. Ogeleka, “chemicals provide a lot of benefits and can help us live better lives, but if we do not understand the chemicals we use, they can harm us, hence if you do not manage chemicals properly, chemicals will manage you.”
She added, “the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that one in every four person die every year from diseases caused by air, water,soil pollution, chemical exposures, climate change and ultraviolet radiation. For every moment of our lives, we are exposed to thousands of these chemicals or substances. Chemicals move through the environment to reach people directly through water, air, soil, dust etc and indirectly through food(crops, fish, snails, periwinkle).”
Prof. Ogeleka noted that herbicides are essential in agriculture adding that they could in certain circumstances act as toxicants that can affect organisms that is not targeted such as humans, plants animals and the environment (air, water, soil as a result of indiscriminate use and disposal.)
On water, the erudite Professor has this to say, “it is important to note that simple methods such as boiling and filtration are not adequate for the treatment of all possible contaminants that may be present in water.”
She disclosed that in a bid to sort out water pollution issues, many developed countries have put in place advance technologies to carry out water purification and distribution, adding, “ however, in Nigeria, most towns, cities, rural communities rely mainly on surface water and privately dug borehole water”.
In his remarks, Engr. Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE)disclosed that the specialized University would soon commence Valedictory Lectures for retiring professors in the University.
While commending Prof. Ogeleka, the first female Professor to deliver inaugural lecture in the University for taking the bull by the horn to deliver the University’s 5th Inaugural Lecture, the Vice Chancellor challenged other professors appointed by the University since inception fifteen years ago to take the bull by the horns to deliver their inaugural lectures.
