Expert advocates policies to reduce pollution, protect natural resources
The KWASU acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jimoh Shaykh-Lukman, who described environmental health professionals as unsung heroes, added that they work behind the scenes to ensure clean air, safe water and nutritious food.
Zakariyau Aliyu, former National President of Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria, has advocated policies and programmes that will reduce pollution and protect the country’s natural resources.
He made the call on Thursday during the Oath-Taking and Induction of 220 newly qualified environmental health scientists 2022/2023 academic session of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete.
He urged the newly inducted environmental health scientists to uphold the dignity and integrity of the profession by contributing their quota to the country’s health sector.
The KWASU acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jimoh Shaykh-Lukman, who described environmental health professionals as unsung heroes, added that they work behind the scenes to ensure clean air, safe water and nutritious food.
He added that talented students were inducted into the profession of environmental health at a time the world needs them more than ever, saying that the challenges facing the planet are complex and multifaceted.
The acting vice chancellor listed some of the challenges confronting the planet to include climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, and challenged the newly inducted health professionals to tackle the problems head-on.
He also charged them to develop innovative solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change, to promote sustainable development and protect vulnerable populations from environmental hazards.
He asked them to work with communities, government at all levels and industries to raise awareness about environmental health issues to promote sustainable practices and push policymakers to prioritise environmental health.
In his remarks, the Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Prof. Nuhu AbdulRasaq, also charged the new environmental health scientists to ensure quality hygiene, safe water and proffer solutions to climate change and other environmental challenges bedevilling the world.
A symbolic presentation of certificates was done for the inductees to welcome them to the profession.