The Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (NSChE) FCT-Nasarawa Chapter has joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Environment Day (WED) on the 5th June 2020 by organizing a virtual public lecture entitled, “Biodiversity and Resilience of Ecosystem Functions: The Role of Engineering” in response to 2020 WED Theme which calls for urgent action to protect biodiversity.
Speaking during the lecture, the Guest Speaker, Dr. Ijeoma Vincent Akpu, Associate Professor, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Port Harcourt explained bio-diversity functions for humanity, the threat to biodiversity and closing the gap between engineering and ecology.
According to her, biodiversity stimulates technological innovation and provides framework for sustainable development for engineers. Major threats to biodiversity include: habitat change, invasive alien species, over exploitation of natural resources, pollution, climate change, global warming and underlying social-cultural conditions among others.
These threats from human activities are putting strain on the natural functions of biodiversity and its ability to sustain future generations. If species are not able to adapt to intensified threats or disturbances, the maintenance of biodiversity and sustainable provisions of ecosystem services to humanity will decline and cease to occur in future.
Taking critical analysis of the roles of engineering in all these, the forum agreed that there is need to close gap between engineering and ecology. Environmental impact of any project must be taken into serious consideration and constantly reviewed during conception and execution the project. To this end, there must be synergy among professional disciplines and review of academic curricular to incorporate more courses and make researches focused on practical solutions to human problems. Furthermore, there should be enforcement of extant laws both international and local.
The public lecture, which was chaired by Engr. Onochie A. Anyaoku, FNSChE, FNSE, FAEng (National President of NSChE] was attended by about 150 participants who joined from their homes or offices. Beside the Guest speaker, Mr. Abbas Suleiman, FNES (Director Environmental Assessment Department, Federal Ministry of Environment), Prof. Oladipupo O. Ogunleye, MNSChE (Dept of Chemical Engineering Ladoke Akintola University) and Engr. Tukur Mohammed Lawal, MNSChE (Senior GM, Environment and Community Affairs of Dangote Cement Plants Globally) constituted the panel of Discussants while Engr. Mahmoud Abubakar, FNSChE (CEO EEMS Limited) was the Moderator. The occasion was also used to celebrate the 77th Birthday of Dr. Boniface Wada, FNSChE who was born on the 5th June, 1943 for his significant contributions to the Chemical Engineering Profession and the Nation. The Chapter Chairman, Engr. Onyekachi Onugu FNSChE who was the Chief Host, with other members of the NSChE, extolled Dr. Wada for his strength and commitment to the society even at 77 years. Family members and colleagues described him as loving father, gentle, easy going, intelligent and charitable.
