Professor of Marine Biology, Ikenna Charles Onyema has called for the inclusion of environmental management as a foundation course in universities.
He made this call on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, while delivering the twenty-eighth (28th) Inaugural Lecture of the 2023/2024 academic session of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) at the J. F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium, UNILAG.
According to him, this inclusion is vital in equipping future generations with the knowledge and tools necessary to address the global challenges of climate change and environmental degradation.
The Lecture titled: From Microscopic, through Wonderful to Majestic: Musings of a Marine Phycologist was presided over by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, and well-attended by family, friends, mentees, staff, students, and well-wishers of the Inaugural Lecturer.
In the Lecture, the Professor from the Department of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Science, took the audience on a captivating journey into the world of marine algae, particularly phytoplankton. He shared his passion for phycology, explaining how phytoplankton, though minute, plays a fundamental role in aquatic ecosystems.
According to him, these microscopic plants found in rivers, creeks, estuaries, lagoons, lakes, and oceans, serve as the foundation of the aquatic food web.
He further underscored the diverse and often astonishing adaptations phytoplankton have developed to thrive in various environments, emphasizing their role in supporting ecological success.
Professor Onyema pointed out the significance of some phytoplankton species as bio-indicators, helping to monitor the health of aquatic environments. He also provided insights into the phenomenon of phytoplankton blooms, both harmful and beneficial, particularly in lagoons, and offered a comprehensive inventory of endemic species.
The Lecturer elaborated on the essential roles of phytoplankton s primary producers, oxygen generators, carbon sequesters, and habitat providers. These attributes, according to him, make them indispensable for the maintenance of maintaining ecological balance, supporting biodiversity, and even helping to mitigate the effects of global warming by stabilizing the climate.
Professor Onyema highlighted his research on Nigeria’s coastal ecosystems, specifically the Lagos region. He revealed that these researches have offered valuable insights into the complex aquatic networks that ultimately flow into the Atlantic through Lagos harbor.
Born on April 30, 1975, Professor Onyema is a thorough-bred alumnus of the University of Lagos, with Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Doctorate degrees in Marine Biology. He joined the services of UNILAG as a Graduate Assistant at the Department of Marine Sciences in 2003 and was appointed Professor of Marine Biology in 2019. He is happily married and blessed with children.
Report: Ndidi J. Odinikaeze
Photographs: Ayo Oloyede
