AAUA VC calls attention to clean environment
The need to take advantage of interaction of micro and macro elements for the benefit of the environment has been brought to the fore at the maiden edition of a one-day National Symposium and inauguration of the Nigerian Society for Microbial Ecology, NSME, held at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State.
The society is an affiliate of the International Society for Microbial Ecology, ISME, based in the Netherlands.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, made the call while declaring open, the symposium, tagged, Microbial Interaction and Advances in Microbial Ecology.
The VC, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Olugbenga Ige, said, “The interaction or activities of micro and macro-elements (human, animals and environment) are reported constantly in our daily news. We need to know about the activities of the micro-elements (bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi etc.) in our environment, and how we can explore them to our advantage, especially in the light of the current global warming.”
Prof. Ajibefun, who said he was happy that the Nigerian arm of NSME domiciles in Adekunle Ajasin University thanked the organizers under the leadership of Professor Timothy Adejumo, noting that apart from founding the NSME, it had won the hosting right of the prestigious Alexander von Humbodlt-Kolleg, and organized a workshop on Grant-Winning Proposal Writing for researchers in the University in 2018.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the National President of the Society and Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. Timothy Adejumo, had said the importance of studying microbial diversity included the solution to new and emerging diseases, advancement of technology, improving lives via the use of microbes in environmental restoration, food productions, and bio-engineering of useful products such as antibiotics, food supplements and chemicals.
He noted that the essence of the symposium was to promote the exchange of scientific information on microbial ecology, and enable participants to interact and discuss more of the latest advances in the field.
Adejumo said the society has not only grown in carrying out cutting-edge researches, but also in membership strength.
Highlights of the symposium included, inauguration of NSME, presentation of certificates, and paper presentations at different plenaries by many academics from numerous Nigerian universities.
