DELSU Expert, Professor Nwachukwu Advocates Domestic And Industrial Safety,Reiterates Environmental Sanctity

By Ben Nwanne

The need to curtail and manage the negative effects of industrialization and make homes, work places and general environment safer was on Thursday, May 25, 2023, emphasized at the Delta State University, Abraka where Professor Augustine Emeka Nwachukwu of the Health and Safety Education Department, Faculty of Education, delivered the 98th in the series of the University’s Inaugural lectures. In order to manage the ‘Thorny Angles of Industrialization’, Professor Nwachukwu advised that all statutory laws and regulations put in place to safeguard the Health and Safety of both humans and the environment must be strictly adhered to by all stakeholders; notably the Government, the Employers, the Employees as well as the Labour Unions, while more Factory Inspectors should be trained and strategically posted in all States of the Federation for more effective discharge of their duties. Besides, he posited that Safety Education, as an examinable course, should be made compulsory in the Faculties especially Engineering and in the General Studies Programmes in Tertiary Institutions while individuals, who desire to seek employment in Small, Medium and Large scale industries should avail themselves of the opportunity of undergoing short-term Health and Safety courses offered by the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria.

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Professor Nwachukwu, who spoke on the topic *”Thorny Angles of Industrialization: Strategies for Intervention*” gave a historical background of the Industrial Revolution, tracing it as far back as when the Early Man discovered fire, and described it as “the biggest event in the recorded history of mankind”.

A product of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical and Health Education and University of Ibadan (UI) where he obtained M.Sc and Ph.D Degrees, Professor Nwachukwu noted that a heightened study in natural sciences and the utilization of machines enabled a vast number of Scientists all over the world to make discoveries that were of great services to mankind in all spheres of life. He cited such Scientists as Michael Faraday, who discovered and brought electricity into use, thereby introducing Electrical Engineering; Madam Curie who introduced the X-ray Machine; John Leuwpnhock who produced the first Microscope; Alexander Flemming who discovered Penicillin; Edward Jenner who introduced the Science of Vaccination, Louis Pasteur who brought in the Pasteurization technique for the preservation of foods and drinks among others. Professor Nwachukwu who was born on New Year Day in 1956, noted that the ever-expanding outcome of the industrialization process has had many salutary effects in different areas but added that there were disadvantages which he calls “the thorny angles of industrialization”.

In his words, “in spite of the bountiful loads of benefits which industrialization has brought to mankind, the process has also ushered in a wide range of risks that have continued to threaten human and environmental health and safety”.

He identified and categorized Occupational Health hazards to include biological hazards, electrical hazards, chemical and mechanical hazards, hyperthermal and hypothermal stress, particulate hazards and noise hazards.

Others, according to him, are illumination hazards, psychological hazards, radiation hazards and hazards of industrial wastes.

He provided justification for Professionals and others to intervene against hazards so as to prevent injuries, deformities, debility or death which may occur among workers and cause emotional distress or diseases, reduction of the rate of sickness-induced absenteeism, enhancement of productivity, among others.

Speaking at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andy Egwunyenga described Inaugural Lecture as one of the most cherished traditions in the University system as it celebrates knowledge and scholarship.

To show the importance he attached to the day’s Inaugural Lecture, he asked rhetorically “What are we without Health and Safety?”.

While decorating the Inaugural Lecturer with the University’s Most Distinguished Honorary Medal, the Vice-Chancellor who is giving DELSU an enlightened and committed leadership, commended his outstanding contribution to scholarship and described him as a highly gifted and proficient academic, exuding candour, accuracy and a high understanding of the subject matter.

Professor Egwunyenga who was recently made an Ambassador of Judo in Nigeria by Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF), remarked that the natural environment was disease-free and safe, stressing that ‘diseases are man-made’ because of high production and consumption which undermines the environment.

He promised that the University would develop a Health and Safety Manual, working in conjunction with the Inaugural Lecturer.