By Praise Chinecherem
Experts have faulted slow response in stemming the tide of COVID-19 pandemic across the country.
They urged bioscientists to rise to the occasion of providing solutions to possible prevention and control of pandemic outbreaks.
The experts spoke at a 2-day International Conference of Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, themed, “Post COVID-19 Resilience: Role of Biosciences”.
Delivering a lecture titled, “Food security enhancement: The entrepreneurial perspective”, a lecturer in Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Alex Ikeme, underscored the importance of interdisciplinary research in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic
He regretted that the scourge gripped the world with a shock and overwhelmed the health system of most nations, causing global social disruption by limiting global social relations.
He said, “Bioscientists and medical professionals played such role as the discovery that the virus had the propensity to kill more than 50 million people worldwide, which led to the research for a vaccine in the mold of the astrazeneca and how to build resilience against the spread and advent of another similar epidemic.
“Our nutritional status, health, physical and mental faculties depend on the food we eat and how we eat it. It’s also important to state that biotechnology in the food processing sector targets the selection and improvement of microorganisms with the objectives of improving process control, yields, efficiency, as well as the quality, safety and consistency of bio processed products.”
Describing the fight against effects of COVID-19 as collective responsibility in winning the war and saving the ecosystem for the future, Ikeme noted that emphasis must shift from defensive measures and short-term goals to a sustainable inclusive growth agenda to build a better future.
Declaring the conference open, Unizik Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, decried recent increase reports of COVID-19 pandemic in the country, urging Bioscientists to search for solutions to mitigate its immediate and post effects.
Esimone, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Frederick Odibo, praised the Faculty of Biosciences under the leadership of Prof Stanley Udedi for organizing the event, describing conferences, symposia and workshops as part of rituals of any academic institution.
“Nigeria and indeed the sub-saharan Africa are being plagued by diseases such as Ebola and Lassa Fever which are virulent but the Bioscientists here at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka are well-equipped and endowed to provide solutions to the challenges of the time”, he said.
Earlier, Udedi said the conference was targeted at discussing re-strategic recovery from the pandemic with emphasis on survival strategies for COVID-19 and roles the faculty have played and will continue to play towards curbing the menace.
“The conference will strategize and repackage the role of teaching, research and community service via showcasing what the faculty can offer in the face of the global challenge,” he added.
