By Olusegun Hakeem Adebumiti, Akure.
A Professor of Geological Remote Sensing, Adeleye Yekini Abiodun Anifowose believed that Nigeria is currently ravaged with insecurity owing to lack of political will.
Prof. Anifowose made this assertion at the 148th inaugural lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), on Tuesday.
The lecture titled, “Eyes in the Sky: Exploring Earth’s Resources” centered on the lecturer’s academic sojourn, his researches and findings in the field of geological remote sensing, and how Nigeria’s security challenges could be tamed with technology.
Prof. Anifowose observed that with the technological advancements available in the country, and with the aid of remote sensing and geoscience information system, in addition with the political will, insecurity will be a thing of the past in Nigeria.
According to Anifowose, his research efforts tilted towards engineering geological applications which covered soil stabilization and waste disposal; remote sensing applications, covering geological mapping, Idanre batholith, Ikere batholith, groundwater exploration mineral exploration, environmental degradation; and Geotourism potentials of Talus caves and Idanre hills.
He noted that humanity is already blessed with abundant resources for her survival but that such is being threatened by the consequences of our handiwork.
“Deforestation leading to desert encroachment and siltation; forest fires leading to sheet and gully erosion; mine site destruction leading to acid mine; silting and flooding; groundwater over-abstraction leading to subsidence; dredging upstream leading to shoreline recession, coastal erosion, mangrove and wetland ecosystem destruction, and many more.
“Whenever these damaging activities are common and unattended to for a long time, there is bound to be hunger and deprivation as inhabitants lose their sources of livelihood.
“Remote sensing can be effectively utilized to provide solution to most of the challenges that face humanity through achieving many of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).”
He used the opportunity of the occasion to call for the actualisation/recognition of the Idanre hill as an international tourism centre.
“The Idanre Hill is scenic environment from which the horizon can be viewed for tens of kilometers. It is a typical place for geotourism, and can be developed to international standards so as to generate revenue and equally boost local economy.
“Efforts should be made by the Federal Government at listing Idanre and its natural and cultural components among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. It has been on tentative list since 2007!,” he noted.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Prof. (Mrs) Adenike Oladiji, in her remarks, congratulated Prof. Anifowose for fulfilling such academic feat.
She added that FUTA will continue to encourage research and advancements geared towards human capacity development.
Prof. Anifowose, an alumnus of University of Ibadan, joined the services of the institution in October 1986 as a graduate assistant in the Department of Applied Geology and rose to the Professorial Cadre on the 1st of October 2015.
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