Education
Weeds Have Lots Of Medicinal, Health Benefits-Don
A Professor of Crop Production, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Prof. Apele Graham Iyagba has stated that weeds have lots of nutritional and health benefits.
Iyagba stated this recently, while delivering the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) 46th Inaugural Lecture, titled: ‘Waste But Not A Waste And Its Impact On National Food Security’, at the University Auditorium Complex, Port Harcourt.
Iyagba stated that weeds have lots of biological, nutritional and health benefits that help mankind, stressing that there were lots of accusations made against weeds as causing damage to the land, environment and health of the people.
The professor argued that weeds also have their positive side that should be considered, while advising that people should practice organic agriculture when planting their crops, as well discouraging the use of synthetic chemicals that are dangerous to human health.
Iyagba regretted that there was lower awareness on organic agriculture as well as food security, noting that everyone has a role to play by starting first, to create needed awareness at home and among students that study agriculture on the need for all to use organic materials when planting crops instead of synthetic chemicals.
He added that although sometimes, weeds interfere with human activities, there is also the positive impact of weeds, hence the need to concentrate more on the positive than their negative impacts.
He explained that there is a relationship between waste, weed and food security, saying: “If you have eaten Achara Soup, Waterleaf soup, then Mr Weed is asking ‘ Where Are My Accusers?”
Weeds are useful in biological and medicinal functions; and have food values. Water leaf as a case study, helps in mulching, which increases crop yields, organic matter of the soil, potentially minimising water runoff, improving infiltration capacity of the soil, among others”, the Prof said.
Prof Iyagba recommended that state and federal governments depolitise agriculture by continuing the agrarian policies established, irrespective of the party in power, adding that this follows the United Nations Global hunger predictions that hunger will be more eminent in the next few years and Nigeria will be a casualty.
He further recommended that the state and federal governments should as a matter of urgency declare a state of emergency on agriculture, so that all could embrace it the more, especially students that study Agriculture from the various tertiary institutions.
On his part, the Vice Chancellor, IAUE, Prof Okechuku Onuchuku, stated that looking at the topic, shows that waste can also be converted to something useful, saying: “One way to go is to ensure that some of these things we call waste , should not just be thrown away like that, because they are very useful.
“Organic farming is very good to health. I would want farmers to do more of organic farming instead of going into subsistent farming, it should be mechanised farming, that boosts the country’s economy,” he said.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The 11th Global President of the Rivers state University Alumni Association (RSUAA), Dr. Marry- Ann Perekebina has praised the Obarijima Waite’s led Postgraduate Students Association(PGA), describing his tenure as ” visionary, transparent and worthy of emulation.
Dr. Perekebina , who spoke with journalists at the sideline of the commissioning of projects embarked by Obarijima Waite’s administration in Port Harcourt, eulogises him for leading a purposeful administration – characterised with team work, love and result.
She maintained, that Obarijima Waite’s have led a purposeful administration that touches on cole values expected of any leader,adding that he has embarked on several projects that will have direct bearing in the lives of PGA students who will make use of the facilities.
“I think it’s worthy of emulation and recognition and he deserves all the accolades. He is a transformational leader who believes in carrying everyone along.” she said.
Also speaking at the sideline, a Postgraduate student of Law and Diplomacy, Edward Olaka, equally lauded the President of PGA, Obarijima Waite, for his visionary and outstanding leadership style, and describing him as “a Square peg in a Square hole”
According to him, the performance of the incumbent President and his team will throw a huge challenge to his successor’s, stressing that their administration will be used as a yardstick to measure whoever that would be coming after them, describing his performance as a commitment and testimony to hard-work built on the fear God.
” This is the handiwork of God, because it is said that when the righteous rules, the people rejoice.”
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is set to establish a Driving Training Centre at the University of Port Harcourt, to be domiciled at the Centre for Logistics and Transport Studies, NEMA House.
A team from the FRSC National Headquarters visited the University on Friday, September 12, 2025, to inspect proposed facilities in line with the Driving School Standardization Programme (DSSP) mandatory requirements.
Speaking at the end of the inspection, Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, represented by the Head of Driving School, Mr. Sunday Attah, expressed satisfaction with the standard of facilities available at the institution. He commended the University for its readiness to host the pilot scheme, noting that the Centre will be replicated in other parts of the country in due course.
Earlier, during a courtesy visit to the University Management, the Corps Marshal explained that UniPort was selected to host the pilot project because of its strategic importance to the nation.
Responding, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Owunari Abraham Georgewill, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Chukwudi Onyeaso, welcomed the initiative and assured that the University remains open to partnerships that will promote academic excellence and national development.
A scholar and the 119 Inaugural lecturer at the Rivers state University, Prof.Chukwu Sancho Nwobuisi has called on political leaders across the world and Nigeria in particular to be transparent, accountable and lead with the fear of God, bearing in mind that when we depart the earth, we shall take home nothing, except the spirit who shall return back to the maker to give account of how we lived our lives.
Speaking to Journalists shortly after delivering his inaugural lecture on Wednesday in port Harcourt with the topic: ” War and The Dynamics of Ehianomics Economy The Nigerian Experience Who Are The Losers”, called on political leaders and those at the position of trust to think outside the box if they truly want the Nigeria to be great again.
He explained that the topic of the lecture basically is about social ills and how to correct the false narrative affects the system, while maintaining that the system has worsen to the point that the future of our younger generation now in dire danger, due to unemployment ,poor infrastructure,poor healthcare and everyone looking for a means to see ends meet.
The Frontline scholar,regretted that agriculture that used to be the economy main stay of the country is now downgraded due to over dependent on oil revenue, hence the unfortunate social and political crisis found daily in our communities.
” The study looks at the effect, influence and what affects the economy of the nation and how our mindset can change from over dependent on oil”
Prof. Nwobuisi, who didn’t mince words about corruption, maintained that corruption remains a serious challenge that the government needs to mitigate by the institutions saddled with the responsibility to pull the nation out of the menace.
” The way forward is that the nation’s anti-graft agencies must be strengthen to look around us especially on the invasion by the so called Yahoo boys.” Prof. Chukwu said.
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