Unilag hosts SETPOM, calls for proper waste management

University of Lagos, Akoka, hosted the environmental experts of the Society for Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Mitigation, SETPOM, where they asserted that improper waste disposal and management is causing devastating effects on the climate. They added that environmental pollution and its challenges pose a threat in the economic development of Nigeria.

Vanguard reports that the experts made this known at the annual International Conference and Conferment of Fellows’ Award of SETPOM with theme Environmental Management and Economic Crises – Challenges, Opportunity and Innovation.

According to Vangaurd, one of the experts, an educationist of the Zoology Department, UNILAG, Prof. Olubunmi Odubanjo, stressed the need for safety of life and property. “No nation can actually be free from environmental hazard just that measures have to be taken to be sure that there’s safety to life and property. Everybody should be a stakeholder in this affair but government should initiate policies and ensure implementation of these policies.”

Vanguard reports that Prof. Adebayo Otitoloju, founder, SETPOM said: “This year’s conference is on environmental management and crisis. We are looking at the challenges posed by environmental pollution in the country and at the same time, exploring opportunities and solutions.

The point is that at any given time, there will always be challenges coming from improper waste disposal by people which, to an extent, cause environmental degradation. As we are having economic challenges with the entire nation dependent on commodity prizes, this kind of challenges will always bring up a lot of economic and environmental hardship.

“As environmental stakeholders, we use this opportunity to contribute our own quota, and see how we can involve strategies and innovation to help in the nation’s economic recovery. In this workshop we will explore what constitutes waste materials and what people can turn such into, in terms of becoming materials for our industry. And also, engage participants and student on how to manage waste materials.”

Source: Vanguard