In an enlightening Inaugural Lecture titled "Taking Life to Higher Level of Development: Quitting the Abuse of Life and Environment that Support Life," Professor Onyenekenwa Cyprian Eneh, a distinguished Professor of Development Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), urged Nigerians to abandon destructive attitudes that degrade both human lives and the environment.
The event, organized by the University of Nigeria Nsukka in Enugu, took place on Thursday and focused on improving the standard of living by promoting actions that support human life and protect the ecosystem.
During his lecture, Prof. Eneh emphasized the need to preserve the environment that sustains life and refrain from engaging in abusive, unhealthy, and anti-development habits and actions. He called for a shift in mindset and behavior, encouraging Nigerians and governments at all levels to relinquish destructive emotions and weapons of mass destruction that degrade life and the environment.
"To achieve a higher level of development, we must address these habits and actions and abandon them," Prof. Eneh stated. "Nigerians need to appreciate life and the systems that support it, and this requires a change in our attitudes towards life and the environment."
The professor highlighted several key areas where changes are needed. He emphasized the impact of nutrition, stress, addiction, and emotions on human lifespan. Poor meal planning, excessive consumption of junk food, mindless eating, and eating on the run were identified as common practices that endanger good living and reduce life expectancy.
Prof. Eneh emphasized the importance of preserving the environment as a life support system. Activities such as bush burning, tree felling, noise pollution, quarrying, mining, sand winning, use of fossil fuels, open defecation, and the possession of armaments and weapons of mass destruction were identified as human actions that degrade life and the environment.
The professor called on the government to provide and maintain essential infrastructure that would enhance the quality of life and prevent the abuse of life and the environment.
In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Charles Igwe, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Daniel Nwachukwu, commended Prof. Eneh for his intellectual contributions in both Chemistry and Development Studies. He urged the audience to pay close attention to the lecture, emphasizing its educational and enlightening value, which would broaden their intellectual horizons.
The event concluded with the presentation of the inaugural lecture certificate to Professor Onyenekenwa Cyprian Eneh by the University of Nigeria Nsukka, recognizing his expertise and valuable contributions to the field.
The thought-provoking lecture delivered by Prof. Eneh served as a wake-up call for Nigerians to reconsider their attitudes towards life and the environment. It is hoped that his message will resonate with individuals and contribute to a collective effort in safeguarding both human lives and the ecosystems that support them.
