Lead varsity, others warn against depletion of natural resources

The Vice Chancellor, Lead City University (LCU), Ibadan, Prof. Kabiru Adeyemo and other academics have warned against the depletion of natural resources in the country, saying it poses danger to humanity.

Adeyemo and Prof. Samuel Oluwalana, a lecturer at the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, College of Environmental Resources Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, as well as Dean, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, LCU, Prof. (Mrs.) Olusola Ladokun, gave the warning during the faculty lecture series of the university in Ibadan.

In his submission, the university’s Vice Chancellor, said there must be a balance between nature and man, adding that Nigerians must conserve nature to avoid depletion that poses risks to human existence.

He said: ”There must be a symbiotic relationship between man and nature because the depletion of natural resources poses challenges to humanity. We must conserve our nature and habitat.”

Speaking on the theme, ‘Nature and her Resources: Seeing Beyond Looking’, Oluwalana warned that the continuous depletion of natural resources might spell doom for the country.

The don, therefore, called for the conservation of nature and environment, saying, ”Nature has so much for us to exist. It is a field of wealth and health. If Nigeria would go into nature, rationally understand and utilise nature, we can get out of economic crises, even social crises that we have. Nature can be used to redeem our people from crimes. If we have trees, forests around us, our brain configuration can change.

”We must conserve nature and treat it with respect. We are losing everything. Maybe in the next 20 years, Ibadan will get to Abeokuta because of expansion. Where are we going to have agriculture farms? Our rivers are polluted, streets are dirty. Can we learn from other nations?”

Ladokun, who was the host, said nature, in all its splendor and intricacy, has been a source of wonder and inspiration for humanity throughout the ages.

“It’s time Nigeria and Africa began to look inward into natural resources God has endowed us with. We should not allow the so-called developed world to deplete these resources from us and impoverish us.

”Climate change, deforestation, pollution, and the depletion of natural resources demand urgent attention from all of us. It is through knowledge and awareness that we can ignite the flames of change and strive for a sustainable future.”