Professor of Chemistry at Chrisland University, Prof. Raphel Mordi, has stated that the country’s waste management system is ineffective and unproductive in terms of wealth generation as well as for the nation’s economic survival.

Speaking at the 3rd Inaugural Lecture at Chrisland University in Abeokuta, the state capital, titled “A journey into the chemistry of waste, wealth, and health,” Prof. Mordi revealed that the government should develop mechanisms where waste can be transformed into wealth for the country’s economic benefit and the survival of the ecosystem.

He mentioned that for waste, wealth, and health to shift the narrative in converting waste into wealth and achieving a safer environment, the government must urgently plan its development strategies to benefit everyone.

“If we can as a nation gather the plastic really as waste, this will boost the Gross Domestic Product of the country in no small measure,” he said.

Regarding how governments and industries can collaborate to implement effective waste management strategies, the Chemistry professor noted that the government should provide start-up funds to industries to facilitate such synergy.

While explaining how to use Bush Mango, Ogbono, and others as alternative medical solutions, he stated that bacterial and fungal infections have become a global concern due to increased resistance to antimicrobial agents like antibiotics. He emphasised that organisms have developed new strains that are resistant to multiple drugs.

He added that the increasing prevalence of anti-drug resistance caused by disease-causing micro-organisms has necessitated the search for alternative sources of drugs to treat ailments caused by these microorganisms.