Environmental researchers in Nigeria have restated the need for alternative energy source in the country in order to check environmental pollution and degradation.
The researchers called for adequate funding, investment and research into alternative sources of energy that would not degrade and pollute the environment but preserve it for future generations.
This call formed the major highlight at a recent three-day 1st Zonal Conference of the Association of Management and Social Sciences Researchers of Nigeria (AMSSRN).
The conference, which took place at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) Auditorium, was themed “Developing Nigeria’s Clean Energy Sources for Sustainable Economic Development: The Imperative of Research in Curbing The Menace of Black Soot in The Niger Delta Region”.
In a keynote address, the first guest speaker, Prof Emmanuel Amaps Loveday Ibanichuka, who spoke on “Developing Nigeria’s Clean Energy Sources for Sustainable Economic Development: thte Imperative for Adequate Funding of Research-based Institutions in Nigeria”, commended AMSSRN for the conference.
Describing the theme as apt and timely, because of the menace of soot in the region, he said “it is pertinent and obligatory for all to strive to achieve economic goals by protecting, preserving and sustaining the environment for the good health and survival of occupants of the current space so that the capacity of future generations to utilize the resources will not be compromised.
“The soot in the region is a product of unclean energy sources such as coal, oil, gas, industrial agrofuels, biomass mega hydroelectric dam, waste to energy incineration and nuclear power, which has affected water, sanitation, good health and wellbeing of people.
“If nothing tangible is done to remediate the environment, the adverse effects will compromise the capacity of those yet unborn to achieve their economic goals”, he said.
He described the unclean energy sources as non-renewable or dirty energy sources, noting that “oil and gas, which are fossil fuel energy, are the worst culprit of unclean energy sources in the Nigerian space”.
Nigeria, he observed, “is one of the highest emitters of greenhouse gases in Africa due to the high level of flaring of gas operations by oil companies.
“Oil extractions, processing, transportation and utilization generate multiple environmental and social impacts, including the emission of significant quantities of climate destabilizing carbon dioxide”, he stated.
The Professor of Accounting, cintinued that although Nigeria cannot completely abandon fossil fuel energy sources without developing alternatives, the country can consider how efficient these sources can be utilized without negatively impacting the environment and society.
He identified solar, wind, small hydropower and tidal as clean energy sources, adding that if properly harnessed, it would enhance security and eradicate poverty in the country.
The guest speaker called for adequate funding of research-based institutions to discover and harness clean energy sources for sustainable economic development of the economy.
He also advised to adopt major energy policy intervention for impactful contribution to sustainable economic environmental and social development of Nigeria.
Earlier the Vice Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, represented by the Dean, Management Sciences, Professor Loveday Okere, expressed appreciation to AMSSRN for making IAUE their choice destination and enjoined captains of industries to formulate policies based on research.
Professor Okere, who declared the conference open, also advised students to imbibe the culture of proper research.
The Chairman of the conference and Director, Research and Development, Professor Kemka Humphrey Ogbonda, described research as fundamental for teaching and community service, stating that without research, there will be no innovations and development.
In her welcome address, President of AMSSRN, Dr. Uche Lucy Onyekwelu, said countries like Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, and China categorised as Asian Tigers, are fastly taking over in the world of economic and political leadership because they accorded research and scholarship their necessary positions.
She affirmed that AMSSRN is celebrating its efforts at building strategic collaborations in projecting research and scholarship in Nigeria and the globe.
Dr Onyekwelu expressed gratitude to the VC of IAUE for being a good host and Dr. Yakie Ogon of the Agip Oil producing company, the second guest speaker, who delivered his lecture at the conference via zoom.
In a vote of thanks, the Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, Dr Israel Omesi, congratulated AMSSRN for making the dream of the conference a reality.
He said the Association, which came into being on March 24th, 2021, was born out of the desire to bridge the gap between the educational sector and the industry for improved research and development.
Dr Omesi, who spoke through the Vice Chairman of AMSSRN District Lunch off Committee, Dr Amaefula Leonard, urged upcoming researchers to contribute their quota to make Nigeria great.
The Executive Members of AMSSRN had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the Registrar, Mrs Hope Keaniabarido Kue-Ikoro, who described the conference as a step in the right direction.
She affirmed the need for research to be tailored towards solving societal needs and problems in addition to contributing to knowledge.
Kue-Ikoro expressed optimism that the desired drive by the Association would be taken very far until the need to carry out research differently from what is currently practiced is achieved.