By – Kolapo Khadijah & Wale Olaogun
Dr. Abdullateef Idowu Oyeleke, Oyo State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, has called for collaboration of the University of Ibadan with the Oyo State government in solving environmental challenges.
He said this during the Book Presentation organised by the Department of Geography and Mentees of Professor Albert Orodena Aweto to mark the latter’s 70th birthday and his retirement from academic service on Saturday, 10th April, 2021 at Trenchard hall.
The commissioner explained how the present Oyo State administration is actively working on tackling environmental challenges like forest degradation, roadside trading and solid waste management. He added on solid waste management in the state, the waste management collection architecture has been modified to ensure efficiency and a dumpsite in Awotan has been rehabilitated and upgraded to a landfill while work is still on the dumpsite in Ajakanga.
Prof Ayobami Salami, who spoke at the event on “Towards achieving a sustainable environment: Perspective from Geography, Ecology and Economics,” emphasised the importance of paying attention to the population so as to plan adequately and the need for a transformed world which will be achieved by taking active steps towards creating a sustainable environment as opposed to a conventional world which will lead to a breakdown in few years. He likened humans relationship with environment with gold digging—like a gold digger, we use the resources to care for ourselves without bothering about its sustainability.
Also, Professor Bako Mansur Matazu talked about the environmental challenges in Nigeria like forest degradation, pollution of all forms, desertification, population growth, urbanisation, climate change and poverty. On slolving these challenges, he stressed that before people can change, poverty has to be addressed. Some of the solutions he proposed are the enforcement of existing laws, social re-engineering and promotion of social equity.
The book, in honour of Professor Aweto, titled “Towards Achieving a Sustainable Environment”, launched by Professor A.S. Gbadegesin, has 26 chapters and 6 sections. It contains exposition on topics like Biodiversity conservation, Environmental sustainability, land use degradation and climate change.
Among other notable personalities that graced the event were the honoree’s wife and children, acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Adebola B. Ekanola who was represented by the Dean of Sciences, Professor E.A Ayodele; the Dean of Science, represented by Prof Olajumoke Morenikeji; the Dean of the Faculty of the Social Sciences, Professor Catherine O. Chovwen; Professor Francis Adesina from the department of geography, Obafemi Awolowo University.
Also in attendance were the acting Head of the Department of Geography, Dr O.J Taiwo; Chief and Professor Mrs Emeke, Professor and Mrs Iwayemi; Professor Aweto’s sister, mentees, colleagues, students and a lot of people whose lives he has touched positively.
