The Vice Chancellor of the
University of Calabar, Prof. James Epoke, has enjoined the Nigerian Government to consider going back to agriculture, given the erratic price of crude oil in the market.
Prof. Epoke declared this during the World Soil Day seminar, which was organised by the Department of Soil Science, University of Calabar, to mark this year’s International Soil Science Day tagged, “The Role of Soil Science in the Attainment of Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Development”.
The vice chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, (DVC) Administration, Prof. Bassey Igri Okon, said soil remains the foundation of Human Existence and Development, adding, that, the World Soil Day offers man the opportunity to reflect on the negative impact of mono economy led by oil production. He urged students and members of the soil science society to be proud of their profession, that soil is life and nothing can be gotten outside soil. In his address, the chairman of the event and guest lecturer, Prof. Uche Amalu, who is a Fellow of Soil Science Society of Nigeria, (FSSSN), said the journey to the celebration, started eleven years ago in Bangkok where members of the international union of soil science society participated in the world congress of soil science.
The President, Soil Science Association of Nigeria, Prof. V. O. Chude, who was represented by the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Evara Esu, stressed the urgent need to raise awareness and promote sustainability of our limited soil resources. Using the best available scientific information, and building on all dimensions of sustainable development, he stated that, despite the essential role of soil in the life of humanity, their degradation is increasing due to the inappropriate practices, growing population, pressure and inadequate governance of these essential natural resource.
Chude, said the objectives of the International Year of Soil (IYS), include; to create full awareness of civil society and decision makers about the fundamental role of soil to human life, to achieve full recognition of the prominent contributions of soil to food security, climate change adaptation and mitigation, essential eco- system services, poverty alleviation and sustainable development.
Also speaking, the Head of Soil Science Department, represented by, Dr. Nkereuwen M. John said, soil is a finite natural resource and is non-renewable on human time
Responding, Miss Angela Unah and Andy Umo-Inyang, both final year students of soil science department, said soil is where life begins and ends, and they were very happy to be part of the lectures.
In an interview, the Director of Agricultural services, Cross River State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Mrs. Martina Ubi said, that soil is very important for food production and healthy living, therefore, poor soil could lead to poor health. She emphasized that, good soil fertility and plants nutrition could lead to food security.

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar