Alaafin urges FG to advance nation’s development with research works

Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has called on the Federal Government to always utilise research works of reputable scholars in enhancing the country’s development.
The monarch made the call on Friday during a Nigerian National Merit Award’s 2018 Award Winners Lecture held at the University of Ibadan (UI).
Oba Adeyemi appealed to government, scholars and academic community to always involve traditional rulers in academic discourse and latest research findings, especially on ecology and environment.
He stated that such would keep them informed of latest researches and findings and help them in advising their people accordingly.
The monarch, who decried the dearth of a regulated ecosystem in the country, said that it had impeded both the ecological and economic development of the country.
Adeyemi said the situation was as a result of poor management of human activities on the natural environment.
“It is disheartening that most rivers have gone dry, blocked or polluted with aftermath effects like flooding through human activity of dropping refuse in flowing rivers.
“Most of the food we eat today are from inorganic sources, therefore, making us live unhealthy lives.
”Many animals of the past have been killed through bush burning and other erroneous human activities,” he said.
The monarch said that the lecturer had made his audience to understand that the killings witnessed in some parts of the country was as a result of Sahara desert encroachment.
The lecture entitled,’Refocusing The Attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria on Ecology and The Environment,’ was delivered by Prof. Emeritus Sunday Ajayi
Ajayi is a 2013 recipient of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM).
In his lecture, Ajayi stressed the urgent need for the revitalization and upgrade of national laws on wildlife and forest conservation in Nigeria.
The don expressed displeasure at the continued degradation of the environment especially the forestry and wildlife resources.
“I am calling on government to create a special department of wildlife at the local, state and federal levels. They should evolve urgent mitigative measures to forestall further loss.
Ajayi urged government to urgently create ecotourism research institutes as well as establish National University of Fisheries in the country.
He also urged government to create more farm settlements and villages across the country as they are potent solving-tool of major socio-economic problems.
He stated that climate change as caused by human activities had negative impact on the environment with serious repercussion on livelihood,.
Ajayi urged government and all stakeholders to take proactive measures in mitigating the myriad of negative impacts of climate change.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the  Federation (SGF) were represented at the event attended by traditional rulers, scholars, researchers and students.