Faculty of Physical Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University has held a one-day Distinguished Lecture Programme and Inaugural Founders’ Day Colloquium, with a call for all hands to be on deck to protect the natural environment.

 

The event which has its theme as “Nurturing Nature for Sustainable Development, the perspective of chemist” and was held at the Uli campus of the University, attracted present and past Deans of the faculty and beyond, students among others.

 

Delivering a lecture during the event, the president, Chemical Society of Nigeria, Professor Moses Chendo thanked the Faculty for resuscitating the Colloquium after a long period, and said that natural environment encompasses the interaction of all living species, climate, weather among others and revealed that the building of atomic bombs, nuclear plants, automobiles have accelerated the tempo of damage done to the natural environment.

 

Professor Chendo regretted that every step taken by man to improve his standards of living, at the other hand helps him to destroy his environment and warned that environmental problems do not respect boundaries, hence the need for all hands to be on deck to save the environment from further abuse and pollution.

The President of the Chemical Society of Nigeria quotes International Labour Organization as saying that over one hundred thousand Nigerians do collect and dismantle electronic waste by hand and are in serious danger of contracting chemical and hazardous disease, as according to him, chemistry plays both positive and negative roles in the society, depending on its application.

 

The Acting Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences of the University, Professor Kingsley Nwozor who told the gathering that the faculty has a fascinating history maintained that it has strengthened its administrative structures to ensure the highest level of discipline and eradication of vices of any kind and that all academic programmes of the faculty now have full accreditation status.

The Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Josephat Ogbuagu and Professor Chris Odilora of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University also spoke during the event.

 

The event climaxed with awards presentations to the first female Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Professor Stella Ibe, and the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Osita Chiaghanam, among others for their selfless service to the faculty.