NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Don advocates natural solutions for health, environment

Don advocates natural solutions for health, environment

238 total views today

Blessing Ibegbu

Bamidele Okoli, a Professor of Natural Product Chemistry at Bingham University, Karu, has advocated greater reliance on natural resources to address health and environmental challenges.

Okoli made the call during the university’s 7th Inaugural Lecture on Tuesday, in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture is titled The Gift of Mother Nature: The Key to Utopia.”

He defined “utopia” as an ideal ecosystem where humans and nature coexist harmoniously, comparable to the biblical Garden of Eden.

Speaking on the topic, Okoli emphasised that the best approach to solving current health and environmental problems was by depending more on natural resources.

He noted that synthetic products and fossil fuels, which were often used in modern solutions, could actually contribute to the very problems they were meant to solve.

 “Most of our drugs are synthesised and some are produced using fossil fuels.

“In the process of developing these synthetic drugs, we inadvertently create more health and environmental challenges.

“The best solution is to rely more on natural resources in addressing health issues and building a utopian nation through natural products.

“A utopian society, in this context, is one where we tackle these issues using what nature provides,” he said.

Okoli urged the Federal Government to prioritise the development and utilisation of Nigeria’s abundant natural resources for health and environmental benefits.

“The government can use the National Orientation Agency to promote the importance and benefits of our natural resources.

“Likewise, agencies like NAFDAC should support the production and use of natural resource-based drugs.

“We can’t keep losing out on what makes us African,” he added.

While acknowledging the challenges in translating research into commercial applications, he stressed the need for greater investment in sustainable practices and public education to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern science.

Earlier in his welcome address, Prof. Haruna Ayuba, Vice Chancellor of Bingham University, commended Okoli for delivering his inaugural lecture and noted its significance in advancing academic culture.

Ayuba expressed his satisfaction that the university was strengthening its academic tradition through regular public and inaugural lectures.

“By the time we reach the tenth inaugural lecture, we will compile and publish a volume, our first official collection of inaugural lectures,” he said, adding that copies would be available for interested readers.

He emphasised that inaugural lectures reinforced values such as scholarship, research, excellence, interdisciplinary dialogue, and knowledge sharing within the university system.

“It is a forum that brings together students, staff, and the public, fostering stronger ties between the university and society,” he said.

Describing the lecture as timely and relevant, Ayuba said it explored how nature and ecosystems contributed to building an ideal society, stressing coexistence and mutual respect.

“It reminds us of the profound relationship humanity shares with nature, a connection that influences our lives, culture, and sustainability.

“As we celebrate the gifts of mother nature, we must also acknowledge our responsibility to preserve, conserve, and manage the environment sustainably for future generations,” he added. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Bingham University matriculates 1,869 students

Bingham University matriculates 1,869 students

628 total views today

By Blessing Ibegbu

Bingham University in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, on Thursday  matriculated  1,869 students  for various courses and programmes for the 2024/2025 session.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the matriculation was the 20th since the establishment of the university.

The matriculation included students for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Prof. Haruna Ayuba, Vice Chancellor of the University in his welcome address, urged the students  to be good ambassadors of the university.

According to him, the main vision of the university is to produce graduates that are worthy of emulation, God fearing and self-reliant.

Ayuba urged the  new students  to imbibe the virtue that has to do with the fear  and love of God.

He said that the university has 15 faculties, 54 departments, 56 undergraduates and 48 postgraduates.

“Attendance at lecture is a compulsory requirement and it attracts 75 marks.  You should be security conscious at any time, when you observe anything.

“I urged  you to choose the right friends carefully and desist from destroying the university property as such an act will not be tolerated,” he said.

Also speaking, the Guest speaker, Associate Prof. Joy Shuaibu, urged the new students to be goal setters.

Shuaibu, who is also an Associate Prof. in the College of Medicine, said  value , hard work, integrity , consistency and courage was key to success.

According to her, the willingness to learn, coupled with an open mind  goes a long way in achieving set goals and aspirations in life.

“I urged you to start reading hard in order to obtain the grades you desire, because obtaining the highest grades starts from today.

“Skill acquisition is the aim of Bingham university because they are  known for entrepreneurship. It is obvious that one cannot fit into society without any skill acquisition,’ she said.

The guest speaker appealed to the new students to always manage their time well, resources as well as acquiring the skill of networking to know the right people and the right network.

“Building good relationships with  your course mates is  a welcome idea and reaching out to your lecturers  when there is the is not a bad thing,”she said

Some of the matriculating students and parents who spoke with NAN, expressed their joy and gratitude to God for the event.

One of the students, Rebecca Abimbola, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, promised to work and remain focused.

Nathaniel Oke, a Computer Science student expressed gratitude to God and his parents for ensuring he was admitted into the university.

He advised aspiring undergraduates to remain focused and always set a goal, bearing in mind that one day it would be a reality.

A parent, Femi Ajide said he was happy and fulfilled to see his daughter in the university.

He advised the matriculating students to work hard and to always remember the sacrifices made by their parents.(NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

57 bag first class as Bingham varsity graduates 2,217

57 bag first class as Bingham varsity graduates 2,217

633 total views today

By  Blessing Ibegbu

Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, on Saturday graduated no fewer than 2,217 students with 57 hitting first class degrees.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that at the institution’s 5th Convocation ceremony that comprised the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 graduating sessions, 519 students got Second Class Upper Degrees.

NAN also reports that 576 students got Second Class Lower Degrees, while 179 and nine others got Third Class and Pass degrees respectively.

Further details showed that 262 bagged MBBS, while postgraduate programmes produced 615  graduands comprising 41 Doctors of Philosophy (PhD), 156 Academic Masters,  298 Professional Masters, while 121 got Postgraduate Diplomas.

The institution also conferred its first emeritus professor on Prof. Yakubu Alhasan.

In his speech, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Ayuba, said that the university had a spiritual heritage with diverse faculty members playing important roles in nurturing and shaping tomorrow’s leaders.

“We nurture and shape young ones with the knowledge, skills and spiritual values that will make them change agents and globally-minded citizens.

“The institution has 15 Faculties and 54 departments that run 40 undergraduate and 40 post-graduate programmes in the past nine years.

“I commend the contribution of the past Vice-Chancellors; I commend their immense efforts towards the growth and development of the institution,” he said.

Ayuba further said that the university had experienced a rapid growth in infrastructure with the construction of a befitting Senate Complex, as well as additional students’ hostels, laboratories, classes, among others.

He said that the lifting of the ban on the first and second sets of law students that graduated in the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 academic session by the Council for Legal Education, was a good development.

“To the glory of God and in appreciation to the council, a total of 131 law graduates of Bingham University have all been mobilised to law school.

“Induction of a total of 123 medical doctors by Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) in 2024 is also one other achievement we are so proud of,” he added.

He, however, solicited for the support of stakeholders and guests to help raise standards and increased access to quality education in Nigeria.

“There is an urgent need for construction of more students’ hostels to meet the growing student population; we need more buildings for the faculties, laboratories, classrooms and lecture halls.

“There is also the need for the expansion of the ICT centre, provision of solar street lights in campus, additional paved road network, expansion of university health centres, among others.

“Your support, individually and collectively, in addressing these challenges, will go a long way in helping us increase access to quality education.

“This support will improve the learning environment for members of the university community,” he added.

Also speaking, Retired Gen. Martin Agwai, the Special Guest, commended the stakeholders for the great role played towards raising the standard of Bingham University.

“Today’s ceremony is significant because it marks both an ending and a new beginning for our graduands.

“We are gathered to celebrate your achievement, acknowledge your hard work and share in the joy of your graduation.

“I see a room filled with bright, ambitious and talented individuals, who will overcome challenges, embrace opportunities and transform dreams into reality,” he said.

Dr Bagat Mallam, Chairman, Board of Trustees, said he was impressed with the group of young graduates.

According to him, the young graduates will utilise the knowledge they gained in the university to better the world in their various fields of endeavours.

“To the graduands, as you move up the ladder in your career, remember the ability to lead.

“Also remember your personality, attitude, behaviours and interpersonal skills that will ultimately determine your level of success,” Mallam said.

In his goodwill message, the Executive Secretary, National University Commission (NUC), represented by Mr John Mairafi, Director in the Executive Secretary’s office, commended the institution’s rapid growth.

He applauded the institution’s outstanding records of many milestones, especially its capacity to produce 9,000 graduands and 80 programmes.

He also recognised the pivotal role the university had played over the years with most of its programmes.

He further explained that the commission had implemented curriculum standards and lurched programmes to enable more foreign collaboration, especially with Bingham University.

The Pro-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Haruna Andrew, commended the vice chancellor for building on his predecessors’ visions and work.

He encouraged the graduands to not just see themselves as graduates in caps and gowns, but the future leaders of the society.

“You not only acquired knowledge and good character in Bingham, but have developed the necessary skills to navigate intricacies of the world beyond the walls of the university,” he said.

The Chancellor, the Esu Karu, Mr Luka Panya-Baba, congratulated the institution and graduands and wished them more excellence.

Appreciating the institution, the emeritus professor commended the graduands for coming thus far in their achievements.

He encouraged the governing council of the school, Vice chancellor, colleagues in the academia and graduands, to keep the good works and be sure of greater heights.

Graduands and parents, who spoke with NAN, could not hide their joy as they returned the glory to God and the institution.

One of the graduands, Miss Sunshine Oche, from the Computer Science department, said she was thankful to God for the four years spent in the institution.

Another graduand, Ezekiel Tochukwu, said he was happy to be among the graduating students, adding that spending four years in university was very challenging.

He explained that the institution had impacted so much knowledge and morals into him and prayed it guides him in his future endeavours.

A parent, Mrs Ijeoma Anyaji, mother to one of the graduands, explained that she could not express the inner joy she was feeling because she had, for years, anticipated the graduating day.

According to her, training a child to graduate level is not an easy task either economically, financially and morally.

She advised parents to always pray for their children/wards and also ask for divine wisdom in the upbringing of children.

“That is the only way to have excellent children,” she said.(NAN)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Ephraims Sheyin

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email