A Professor of Animal Physiology and Ecotoxicology at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, Joseph Adeyemi has advocated the need to control the use of synthetic chemicals in agriculture through the popularization of organic farming. He stated this while delivering the 171st inaugural lecture series of the institution on Tuesday, 27th August 2024.
Adeyemi who titled his lecture, “Adapt or Perish: A Decision All Animals Must Make”, said “the use of synthetic insecticide in controlling insect pests is popular among farmers but comes with adverse environmental and human concerns, hence the need to develop safer and eco-friendly alternatives. The intrinsic properties of the grains, such as their biophysical characteristics (like seed hardness, colour and size) and their proximate composition, have been shown to influence their susceptibility to insect infestations.”
Adeyemi, an expert in ecotoxicology delved into the study of how chemical pollutants affect ecosystems and their inhabitants. He emphasized the need for a deeper understanding of how toxins accumulate in the food chain, affecting not only individual species but entire ecosystems. "Ecotoxicology provides us with crucial insights into the long-term effects of pollutants, revealing the hidden impacts of our actions on wildlife," he remarked.
He cited examples of industrial pollutants affecting aquatic life, explaining how toxins such as heavy metals and pesticides can accumulate in water bodies, leading to deformities, reproductive failures, and even species extinction. "Pollution does not recognize boundaries; it affects all forms of life. The death of a single species can have ripple effects, potentially destabilizing entire ecosystems," Professor Adeyemi warned.
The don called on the audience to recognize the urgency of the situation and take action to mitigate the impacts of human activities on the environment. He urged for stronger policies and more robust enforcement of environmental laws to protect wildlife and their habitats. “The masses should be properly educated on the need for proper disposal of wastes, this will reduce the indiscriminate disposal of wastes into the environment,” he quipped.
Adeyemi, whose collaborative research effort did a study on risk assessments of organic and inorganic contaminants in food and the environment said the levels of metals and metalloids in Nigerian medicinal plants after quantification revealed that one should be cautious in using these plants for medicinal purposes, since there is inherent risk of carcinogenic toxicity associated with their consumption.
Professor Adeyemi also underscored the vital importance of adaptation for animal species in the face of accelerating environmental changes. He described adaptation not just as a survival mechanism but as a continuous evolutionary process that shapes the existence of all living organisms. "Adaptation is not merely a choice but an imperative for survival. In the ever-changing dynamics of our planet, only those who adapt endure, while those who fail to do so face the dire consequence of extinction," he stated.
On the issue of the impact of human activities on natural habitats and ecosystems, Professor Adeyemi pointed out that climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, and over-exploitation of natural resources are exerting unprecedented pressures on wildlife. "The Anthropocene epoch is marked by significant human impact on the Earth's geology and ecosystems. This period is characterized by mass extinctions and biodiversity loss, driven largely by human actions," he explained.
He further recommended that more attention should be paid to prompt and proper risk assessments for contaminants, saying that it will provide a better understanding of their potential harmful effects on human and environmental health.
Introducing the lecturer in her capacity as the Chairperson at the event, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji described Professor Adeyemi as erudite and resourceful in his field. She said Adeyemi has added value to his field in both teaching and research and has contributed to the development of critical workforce in his field through supervision and mentorship of several graduates who are doing well in various fields of human endeavours.
