A professor of Parasitology and Public Health in the Department of Medical Microbiology/Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science at the Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, Prof. Gloria Ngozika Wokem, has advocated for the abolition of open water body latrine systems in rural riverine areas and open forest latrines in upland communities to eradicate water and food-borne diseases, popularly known as Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), prevalent in Nigeria.

Prof. Wokem made this call while delivering her inaugural lecture at the 122nd inaugural lecture series of the university on the topic “Neglected Tropical Diseases and WASH Nexus: Breaking the Cycle for Human Sustainability” held in Port Harcourt, wednesday.

She described NTDs as a group of diseases prevalent among impoverished remote populations, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, with limited access to safe water, sanitation, hygiene, and other healthcare essentials.

According to her, there are about 20 known disease groups shortlisted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), such as Guinea worm disease, Endemic Treponema pallidum infection (Yaws), Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) (sleeping sickness), leprosy (Hansen’s Disease), and onchocerciasis (River blindness), among others, adding that they are listed by WHO as control targets for the 2030 NTDs goals.

Prof. Wokem stated that for over thirty years, she has been working in the field of Neglected Tropical Diseases, or in other words, water and food-borne diseases. “These diseases come to humans through what we eat, what we do, and are so prevalent around us that not much information is known about them, which is why they are called neglected.”

She noted that NTDs affect not only Nigeria but 57.3% of the world’s population, including Africa, Asia, South and Central America, adding that wherever sanitation, hygiene, and safe drinking water are in limited supply, these neglected tropical diseases will flourish.

The professor called for all stakeholders to join hands to fight against the eradication of the dreaded tropical diseases ravaging the society, saying, “There is a role government will play and there are parts individuals will do.”

She however recommended among other things the employment of graduate parasitology and public Health Scientists groomed by the university for the continuity of the medical laboratory science profession which is in high demand

Earlier in his remarks,the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obi, lauded the lecturer and described the lecture as a testament to her professional prowess and a justification of her professorial appointment by the university.

The vice chancellor who was represented by the provost of the post graduate school of the university,prof T S K.Abam ,the VC aligned with the position of the lecturer that living a clean environment and washing our hands regularly will help to eradicate the NTDs in the society.

The University of Port Harcourt, has taken a significant step towards addressing the issue of insecurity in Nigeria by producing security experts through its Institute of Niger Delta Studies (INDS), with the institute inducting its first graduating students into the Nigerian Institute For Industrial Security (NIIS), with the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General E E Emekah, delivering a quality lecture on the topic, “Promoting Blue Economy In The Niger Delta: The Place Of Security”.

In his lecture, Major General Emekah emphasised the importance of security in promoting the blue economy in the Niger Delta region.

He noted that the activities of the Joint Tasks Force (JTF) are geared towards maintaining peace on Nigerian waterways and promoting productivity, and also stressed the need for a non-kinetic approach to security operations, winning the hearts and minds of the communities, and collaborating with security personnel to fight insecurity.

The GOC charged the inductees to ensure that their study/training provides practical solutions to the pressing security challenges facing the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole.

He emphasised the significance of their studies in UNIPORT, given the prevailing security threat to lives and property, especially on Nigerian waterways.

The Acting Director of INDS, Dr. Chukwu-Okeah, expressed satisfaction that the occasion marks a new milestone in the history of the institute, noting that the Niger Delta has been besieged with environmental and security challenges, and it is time to rise up and build the region through the blue economy ideology.

The blue economy, he explained, emphasises the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and job creation while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem.

He described the blue economy as the new oil well, with the potential to drive economic diversification, job creation, food security, and climate resilience in the region.

One of the inductees, Ayuba Tanimu noted that security is dynamic, and continuous learning and research have equipped them to serve their communities and Nigeria well.

He described the Nigerian Institute For Industrial Security (NIIS) as a body of security professionals that meets annually to craft security policies for the country.

The programme, which attracted prominent individuals from the academia, security, and other sectors had the 7th Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Joseph Ajienka, as its chairman.