NSUK 41 Inaugural Lecture: Prof. Tukura identifies heavy metals, pesticides as bane to food safety, security

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Inaugural Lecturer, Prof. Tukura, wife and the DVC Academics, Prof. Modibbo, at the event

By Samuel Torlumun

Concentration of heavy metals and pesticides in the environment has been identified as major sources of food crops contaminations.

This was the submission by inaugural lecturer, Professor of Analytical Chemistry, Bitrus Wokhe Tukura in the 41 inaugural lecture series of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, (NSUK), held on Wednesday at the university campus.

In the inaugural lecture titled, “Heavy Metals and Pesticides in the Environment: Good Enemies of Food Safety and Food Security”, Professor Tukura posited that the bioaccumulation of pesticides and heavy metals in the soil and plants, that are subsequently transferred through the food chain compromise not only food safety, but also food security, and to the larger extent, affecting food sustainability and economic development.

The research held that consumption of contaminated food crops and fish by heavy metals and pesticides pollutants is potential health risks.

According to him, “food safety has to do with the assurance that the food is free for human consumption; that is, the food is not toxic. This implies that if the food we consume is not toxic, of course we will live healthy, and the healthy we are, the more productive we shall be. The other aspect has to do with the economy of the nation. There are instances where our farm produce are being rejected at the international market because of contamination due to pesticides or heavy metals. So these are some of the consequences”.

The Professor Chemistry recommended that; “Levels of heavy metals and pesticides in environmental matrices as well as in resident biota and food crops should be regularly monitored in order to provide useful information about their speciation, principal sources, fate in the environment, and bioaccumulation in the food chains. Such information can be used for risk assessment of chemical pollutants to human health.

“The public should continually be educated on the harmful effects of heavy metals and pesticides on human health and environment; and the need to minimize their contamination in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem to safeguard the biota and the health of their consumers”, he noted.

He also stated that wastewaters from industries should be treated effectively before their discharge to the natural waters.

Prof. Tukura called for effective support, promotion and encouragement of scientific research on environmental assessment of chemical pollutants through allocation of appropriate funds for protecting human health and the environment.He called on the government agencies and organizations to implement and enforce existing environmental safety laws for a cleaner environment and effective food and safety system.

Earlier in her opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Sa’adatu Hassan Liman said food safety and food security has become a very important issue globally, especially in developing countries like Nigeria, adding that there is need to come up with scientific enquiries and the way forward.

The VC who chaired her first inaugural lecture barely two days after hand-over on Monday, spoke through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, Professor Abdullahi Modibbo.

The VC assured the university community and the public that due to the imperative nature of inaugural lectures and being in consonance with the vision of NSUK, her administration will ensure the continuity of the programme.

She appreciated Professor Tukura on his intensive and incisive research work.

Also speaking, Dr. Joseph Haruna Kigbo, CEO, Doctors On The Move Africa, who is also childhood friend and classmate of the inaugural lecturer, said he is elated seeing Professor Tukura researching of a topical issue that today becomes a global threat.

He stated; “It gives me pleasure to see our own, making breakthrough the boundaries of research, by working in an area that is quite topical to Nigeria today. He has, by this, reawakens or understanding, called to our consciousness to the fact that government must step-up, in terms of enforcement and regulations, so that we don’t contaminate or pollute our food as the case may be”.