… As FUNAAB Holds 100th Inaugural Lecture

By Olasunkanmi Olajide & Femi Dansu

A distinguished scholar in Fish Pathology and Management, Prof. Adeolu Akinyemi, has called for the establishment of a Faculty or College of Marine and Blue Economy in institutions offering agricultural courses.

Prof. Akinyemi, from the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, College of Environmental Resources Management (COLERM), made this call while delivering the 100th Inaugural Lecture of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB). His lecture, titled “Man, Water, and Environment: Making Life Comfortable for the Fish,” underscored the critical role of aquatic ecosystems in global sustainability.

In his Lecture, Prof. Akinyemi urged FUNAAB to take the lead in championing the initiative, noting the University’s reputation as a pacesetter in agricultural innovation. He also encouraged State Governments to follow the example of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, by establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy at the State level.

Drawing from Genesis 1 in the Holy Scriptures, Prof. Akinyemi highlighted the importance of water, which covers 75% of the earth’s surface, and the rich biodiversity it supports. He noted that his research aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

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The seasoned academic outlined his research contributions in Fish Health, Pathology, Ecotoxicology, Fisheries Management, nutrition, processing, and breeding. A former Director of the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) at FUNAAB, he shared insights from his extensive work in various aquatic environments, from ponds to oceans. He emphasised the urgent need to address challenges in the sustainable management of aquatic resources.

The University’s 100th Inaugural Lecturer made several key recommendations, including enacting and enforcing regulations to control disease transmission and ensure fish health; establishing strict quarantine measures for fish and fish products, as well as mapping and certifying fish facilities and practitioners.

Others he mentioned were standardising grading systems in the fish industry, enhancing professionalism in fish health management, and providing world-class laboratories for fisheries research and diagnosis, including setting up cold storage facilities and transportation solutions for fish preservation.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, lauded Prof. Akinyemi for his outstanding academic contributions, noting his extensive research portfolio with over 115 publications in reputable international journals. He also commended Prof. Akinyemi’s leadership roles within the University and his invaluable contributions to Aquaculture and Fisheries Management.

The landmark 100th Inaugural Lecture not only reinforced FUNAAB’s commitment to pioneering research but also set the stage for innovative policies in the field of marine and blue economy development.