University  of Agriculture Makurdi, in collaboration with other key stake holders in the  state, joined the World to mark this year’s 2018, World Environmental Day, Titled “Beat Plastic Pollution”.

The event which started with an Awareness Rally from South Core to North Core culminated in a Lecture at the Aper Aku auditorium which  witnessed a large turnout.

In  his  opening address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A. R, Kimbir represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Paul Annune, stressed the need for the University and the entire Benue State to join the rest of the World in fighting the scourge of plastic pollution and its devastating effect on humanity.  He further, advised the University management in collaboration with the College of Forestry and Fisheries to design a lecture to sanitize members of the University community and general public on internationally recognized best practices of waste management based on principles of waste avoidance.  This is in line with the slogan which states “if you can’t Reuse It, Refuse It”.

Delivering the lecture on the Theme “Beating the Plastic Pollution” Dr. E. T. Tembe from the Department of  Forest Production and Products, advocated for the change in attitude in the use of plastic in our homes and environment.

He highlighted the dangers of plastic to man and his environment i.e. when it is hot or exposed to heat, it emits carcinogenic substances which cause CANCER in human e.g. packaging of hot foods, water and slurries; plastic refuse act as a breeding ground for disease vectors like mosquitoes and flies; plastic clogs the water ways and drainage channels causing flooding, erosion, silation and eventual loss of lives and property.  Dr. Tembe, further gave ways of avoidance of plastic waste in our homes and environment i.e. replacement of nylon and polythene bags with traditional leaves for wrapping condiments, to create policy for manufacturers/Importers of  nylon and polythene bags into Nigeria to replace with paper bags.

At the end of the lecture, it was evident that there was an urgent need to consciously save our environment  by reducing the plastic pollution.