In commemoration of the late Professor M.K.C. Sridhar, Environmental Health scientists at the University of Ibadan (UI) recently held the second annual memorial lecture. The Department of Environmental Health Sciences, in partnership with NINAAFEH and EHSAN, organised the event to honour Professor Sridhar’s pioneering work in addressing environmental health concerns in Nigeria, such as air, water, and land pollution, Waste Management difficulties, and a lack of expert collaboration. Layi Egunjobi, an emeritus professor, praised Sridhar’s creative tactics and urged further work to carry on his legacy.
Professor Samuel Agbola’s keynote speech focused on the connection between harmful environmental conditions and the incidence of diseases like malaria. The necessity of solutions such as waste-to-energy systems, renewable energy, green Construction technologies, environmental sensitisation, and pedestrian-friendly surroundings was emphasised by Agbola. In addition to acknowledging the need for community involvement, the presentation used Kube Atenda as an illustration of effective collaborative research. Acting Head of the Environmental Health Sciences Department Dr. Temitope Laniyan praised Sridhar’s noteworthy accomplishments since his arrival at UI in 1976, which have significantly influenced the department’s present reputation for Innovation and research.
Sridhar’s work successfully turned garbage into useful resources.
By using creative waste management techniques, Professor Mynepalli K. C. Sridhar made a substantial contribution to environmental health in Nigeria. By using the 3Rs, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle which were later extended to the 5Rs to add Refuse and Repurpose, he reignited interest in Solid Waste management. His work successfully turned garbage into useful resources by bringing composting, biogas production, and waste-to-energy technologies to a big scale. The University of Ibadan’s Renewable Resources Centre was founded in 2013 by Professor Sridhar. Over 25 feasible waste-to-energy turnkey projects with an emphasis on Recycling and resource conservation are displayed in this centre as models that are prepared for commercialisation.
At the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Professor Sridhar worked with international organisations to improve access to clean water and Sanitation Facilities through Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives in nine Nigerian states; at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), he created community-scale organic fertiliser plants using market waste to promote waste reduction and sustainable agriculture. He led healthcare waste management projects in corridor countries, emphasising capacity building and the safe disposal of medical waste, at the World Bank and UN-HABITAT. He also implemented waste segregation and recycling programs within communities, promoting environmental awareness and sustainable waste management practices.
There are urgent environmental health issues in Nigeria.
These programs have improved Public Health and Sustainability by having a long-lasting effect on environmental health policies and practices in Nigeria. There are urgent environmental health issues in Nigeria. Only 48% of people have access to basic Sanitation services, whereas 65% of people have access to basic drinking water services, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Furthermore, 86% of medical institutions do not have dependable electricity, which makes it difficult to provide quality care. Kube-Atenda and other community-based research initiatives have shown how successful cooperative environmental health solutions can be.
To turn solid waste into Renewable Energy and beneficial byproducts, a smokeless pyrolytic chamber was erected in this town. Residents now have an alternate energy source, the environment is cleaner, and waste accumulation is decreased thanks to this innovation. Students and community leaders were among those who attended the memorial lecture and stressed the significance of carrying on Professor Sridhar’s legacy. The need for Education and awareness in promoting sustainable practices was emphasised, as was the necessity of interdisciplinary approaches and community involvement in tackling environmental health issues.
Related Article: Nigerians Should Prioritize Environmental Health
Using energy-efficient designs and materials to lessen environmental effects and enhance indoor air quality is one suggested solution to Nigeria’s environmental health issues. Reducing Greenhouse gas Emissions and dependency on fossil fuels can be achieved through the use of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and biomass. Additionally, minimizing landfill usage by converting municipal solid waste into energy through methods such as pyrolysis and anaerobic digestion, and designing cities to encourage bicycling and walking, not only lowers vehicle emissions but also enhances public health. These tactics could greatly enhance Nigeria’s environmental health results and are in line with Sustainable Development goals.