A university teacher, Prof. Offor Stephen, has advocated the establishment of functional plant/crop research centres in all the states of the federation.
Stephen said the centres should be charged with the responsibility of pursuing the health of plants and crops as well as other plant related issues in the country.
Stephen made the call at the 25th Inaugural Lecture of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), entitled ‘The Grandeur of Plants: Our Life and Our Environment, held at the University’s Main Campus, Rumuolumeni, PortHarcourt, last Thursday.
The professor, who noted that plants account directly for about 95-100 percent of the diet in Nigerian homes, said they were sources of feedstuff for livestock including wildlife populations, adding that both terrestrial and aquatic plants (by products) can be used as feed additives for the growth of birds.
While noting that plants are all around humanity whether on the land, in the sea/ocean or air and that they function to not only feed, cloth, shelter and warm us but also gratify our senses and provide the primary sustenance to every living creature, regretted however that plants were treated with levity and utter disdain at the detriment of human’s health, physical/environmental, educational and technological development particularly in Nigeria and stressed the need for proactive measures to protect, preserve and access its full potentials.
Stephen said”, our lives are dependent on plants. Plants as necessities of life play a major role in human existence. In the light of the indispensable services rendered by plants, i call on this university management, state and federal government to establish well equipped research centres in all the states in Nigeria. The centres should be charged with the responsibility of pursuing the health of plants/crops and other plant related issues in Nigeria”.
The plant physiology expert further called for a proper education on the conservation of plants/crops in the country, saying”, the seeming ignorance or negligence of the people to the economics of plants resulting to the lack of concern of the people to the disappearance of threatened species, has exacerbated the problems thereby creating enormous challenges”.
In his closing remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Ozo-Mekuri Ndimele, averred that there is no life without plants.
Ndimele therefore stressed the need for the respect of plants irrespective of its nature for the good of man.
In his words”, all flesh is grass. Some may die and resurrect as either pumpkin, sugarcane or any other plant. Plant is everywhere and very key in our lives. I urge you to respect any plant you see around you. A lot is contained in this book. Go home, read it and make use of it for your good”.

By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu