By Correspondent in Sango-Ota.
A Professor of Chemistry, Akan Williams, has called on the Federal Government to introduce stringent regulations on the use of antibiotics in agriculture and food production to protect public health.
Williams, a senior lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, made the appeal while delivering the institution’s 34th Inaugural Lecture on Monday in Sango-Ota.
The lecture, titled “The Burdens of Pollution and Imperatives for Environmental Clean-Up”, drew attention to the alarming misuse of antibiotics, particularly in poultry farming.
“Investigations have shown that some feed millers covertly add antibiotics to livestock feed, exposing poultry to sub-therapeutic doses of drugs,”
“These farmers often fail to observe the withdrawal period before selling antibiotic-treated birds, thereby exposing consumers to harmful antibiotic residues,”Williams said.
He further revealed that both locally produced and illegally imported meat samples showed elevated levels of antibiotic residues, posing a significant public health risk.
The professor also urged regulatory agencies to intensify monitoring and enforcement to reduce antibiotic misuse.
He called for public enlightenment campaigns targeting feed producers and farmers, stressing the importance of understanding the health risks posed by unchecked antibiotic use.
Williams appealed to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to strengthen border surveillance to curb the importation of contaminated meat and animal products.
In his address of welcome, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Timothy Anake, described the lecture as a reflection of the institution’s commitment to fostering intellectual discourse, promoting impactful research, and raising a new generation of leaders for a sustainable future.
The Chancellor of the university, Dr. David Oyedepo, emphasized the need for Nigeria and other African nations to prioritize environmental cleanliness and take ownership of addressing their developmental challenges.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
