By Sade Adewale, Ondo

An Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Health Science, Faculty of Applied Health Science, Kwara State University, Dr Henry O. Sawyerr, has described Environmental Health Professionals (EHPs) as the frontline health security of the nation.

Sawyerr made this statement during the induction ceremony of the first set of Environmental Health graduands, saying the future is bright for environmental health professionals, as they are needed in all spheres of life.

In a lecture titled “Historical Perspective and Emergence of Environmental Health Science in Nigeria,” he outlined the functions of EHPs, which include waste management; food control and hygiene; pest and vector control; environmental health control of housing and sanitation; epidemiological investigation and control; air quality management; occupational health and safety; water resources management and sanitation; noise control; and protection of the recreational environment, among others.

In view of their relevance in society, Dr Sawyerr said, “the future is bright for environmental health professionals as they are needed in all spheres of life.”

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Adesegun Fatusi, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Roseangela Nwuba, expressed delight at the successful completion of the programme by the University’s first set of Environmental Health graduands.

Fatusi said, “We are proud of your accomplishments. Your dedication throughout your academic sojourn is commendable. We are convinced you will fly the flag of the institution high in society.”

The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, Dr Yakubu Mohammed Baba, represented by Professor Emmanuel Ofoezie from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, commended the University for achieving the feat of producing its first set of Environmental Health Professionals.

Baba stated that the University is undoubtedly a centre of excellence, given the facilities put in place for the training of the graduands, and he enjoined them to be ethical and professional in their practice.

The Dean of the School of Public Health, Professor Ofonime Johnson, in her welcome address, thanked the University for creating an enabling environment for the professional training of the graduands and congratulated them on their induction into the environmental health profession.