By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
Prof.Olayemi Akinwumi, Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja.
The Vice-Chancellor, of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa has called for the establishment of a national research center to conduct research into flooding in the country and mitigate the effect of the natural disaster.
Prof.Temi Temi Ologunorisa.
He made the call on Wednesday in his keynote address at the First International Conference, with the theme:" Flood and Sustainable Development," at the Felele campus of the Federal University, Lokoja, organized by the university.
Some participants at the conference.
He expressed concern that though the country had experienced floodings of monumental devastating proportions on humans and properties, especially between 2012 and 2022, no effort was made by the government to document its damage to lives and properties, and the environment.
The professor also noted the absence of flood stations to monitor trends in floods, adding that the country also lacked a central database on floods and their effects on humans and the natural resources of the country.
"Rivers are not gaged and no effort is put in place to strengthen risk disaster management.
"By now, Nigeria should have got 30 years development plan to plan on how to mitigate the effects of such natural disaster," among other missing links in the documentation of the effects of flooding in the country.
The don argued that the effect of the 2022 flood, compared to the 2012 similar disaster, hit Nigeria, because there was no serious research on it to mitigate the consequences of 2022.
In his opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Olayemi Akinwmi, said the event "highlights the critical issue that threatens the lives and livelihoods of millions of people living in the Niger - Benue Trough, extending to the Coastal region of Nigeria. "
He described the two-day conference as an important milestone, not only for the university, more so that the institution was "hosting the confluence of the two great Rivers in the country, the Niger and the Benue, where the name of the State was derived, and for the country as a whole.
"The Niger-Benue trough, which spans across several States in Nigeria, has experienced devastating floods that have caused loss of lives and destruction of properties as witnessed in the years 2012 and 2022.
"As a University, we think it is necessary and crucial to come together and discuss the causes, effects, and Solutions to this recurring natural disaster.
"With this conference, we will gain a better understanding of the ecological and environmental factors that contribute to floods in the Niger-Benue trough.
"We also hope to study how human actions inadvertently or directly cause these floods and how we can put measures in place to ensure that they do not happen in the future.
"We have gathered experts, scholars, and researchers from various backgrounds to share their knowledge, experiences, and recommendations on the mitigation of floods in the Niger-Benue trough," he said.
The vice chancellor expressed optimism the university and the resource persons were present with insightful papers and research that would influence policies, frameworks, and actions toward reducing the flood disaster in the region.
He said the university decided to host the conference based on its belief that education and capacity-building are paramount in empowering communities to cope with floods.
"By providing access to knowledge, training, and resources, we can enhance the preparedness and response capabilities of individuals and communities.
"These include educating people about flood risks, teaching them essential skills in disaster management, and fostering a culture of resilience and adaptation.
"As part of the strategic reasoning of the Federal University Lokoja, we hope that this Conference would provide the basis for pushing for the establishment of a Centre here in Lokoja that would support research on various aspects of flooding.
The 2022 flooding in Lokoja, Kogi State.
"The University is prepared to partner with individuals and Institutions towards the realization of such a Centre. The envisaged research Centre should be such that would serve the need of the West African sub-region," he added.
The vice chancellor urged participants to contribute to the conference by sharing experiences research ingenuity, and recommendations, genuinely and work together to find lasting solutions to "this terrible natural disaster. "
The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr.Victor Omofaiye, commended the university and other stakeholders for organizing the conference.
The governor describe the event as a platform for collaborative efforts between the policymakers and stakeholders to brainstorm on flood issues and find solutions to them, adding his administration had evolved various programs to mitigate the effects of floods in the state.
Our correspondent reports that about 50 papers have been slated for discussion during the conference and a communique will be expected at the end of the exercise.
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