AE-FUNAI HOSTS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RESOURCE EXTRACTION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The Faculty of Physical Sciences in collaboration with the Centre for Climate Change, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State has hosted an international Conference on Resource Extraction for Sustainable Development in a post COVID-19 Era.

The international conference which was held at the Rasheed Adamu Abubakar auditorium from Wednesday, 18th to Friday, 20th August, 2021 brought together academics and policy makers across Nigeria who converged at the university to espouse and proffer solutions for the survival and sustainability of the nation’s natural resources.


Front Row (L-R): Deputy Registrar, Mrs. Kate Nwankwo, Registrar, Odisa C. Okeke (Mrs), DVC, Academic, Prof. Dennis Akoh, Rep. of the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Engr. Henry Awuruegu, Executive Director, Administration and Training, NTA, Prof. Steve Egbo, a guest, Prof. Chukwu Omaka SAN and University Librarian, Dr. Juliana Akidi in a group photograph after a courtesy call on the VC before the opening ceremony of the conference
Delivering his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, the former Vice-Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Emeritus Prof. Ikenna Onyido, noted that the conference was to discuss the challenges posed by the intersection of man’s quest for sustainable economic development through the beneficial exploitation of the earth’s abundant natural resources which are now threatening the wellbeing of the planet and its entire inhabitant.

He observed that the necessity to diversify the Nigerian economy in order to wean the country from its near total dependence on oil revenue by creating alternative non-oil revenue streams has led to a noticeable uptick in mining activities at both artisanal and industrial scales in the state.

Prof. Onyido however emphasised the importance of periodic surveys to capture in real time the negative effects of the extraction activities with a view to evolving mitigation strategies and ensure that the economic and social benefits from mineral extraction and processing do not occur with the high cost of permanent damage to the environment. He added that the conference proceedings will be an alternative scientific pool on the beneficial linkages between resource extraction and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as managing the environmental challenges arising from increased mining activities.


Rep. of the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Engr. Nduka Awuruegu delivering the Minister’s speech at the conference
Speaking as the Guest of honour to the event, the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, noted that the theme of the conference ‘’Resource Extraction for Sustainable Development in a Post Covid-19 Era’’ is apt as the recommendations from the conference will be utilized by government and other strategic stakeholders to make informed decisions for the survival and sustainability of resources of Nigeria, adding that resources can be used, unused and abused.

He applauded the Management of AE-FUNAI for the extraordinary transformation the university has achieved so far, adding that the University has proven to mankind that leadership is not a function of how old, neither a function of geographical location or how much resources that is available to an organization, rather a decision to do things differently.

The Minister who was represented at the event by the Director General, Southeast Chamber of Commerce, Mines, Industry and Agriculture, Engr. Nduka Awuruegu stated that the major problem of labour in Nigeria is unemployability as a lot of people who have certificates lack skills and those that have skills lack certificates, observing that the resultant effect is that when the employers of labour want to hire, they employ those with skills and underpay them. He however assured that the Minister and other stakeholders in the country are in partnership with the organised private sector to bridge the gap.


Keynote Speaker, Emeritus Prof. Mosto Onuoha delivering his speech at the conference
Delivering his keynote address, the former President, Nigeria Academy of Science, Emeritus Prof. Kalu Mosto Onuoha advocated for the beneficiation of the country’s natural resources, stressing that the only way Nigeria can maximize her natural resources is by converting her comparative advantage to competitive advantage.



He also frowned at the culture of inadequate environmental safety and workers’ training in the extracting sector of the national economy, alluding that these inadequacies have led to environmental disasters and avoidable deaths in the country.

Also speaking on the topic, ‘’Impunity as an Antithesis to Sustainable Development”, the Executive Director, Administration and Training, Nigeria Television Authority, Prof. Steve Egbo expressed his satisfaction at the level of transformation in AE-FUNAI and thanked the Management for making the young university become the most serious public university in Nigeria, and assured the University Management that the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), will loud the performance and achievements of the University to the world.

Speaking further, he noted that Nigeria despite being the giant of Africa has not been able to provide the requisite leadership for other African countries, which has led to lack of focus and direction in the continent.


Executive Director, Administration and Training, NTA, Prof. Steve Egbo speaking at the conference
He said ‘’Nigeria is in the state where we are today because of impunity’’, maintaining that everybody is guilty of impunity, describing it as a situation whereby you do something wrong and get away with it. He enjoined the citizenry to join hands together and fight impunity in the country in order to sustain the nation’s resources.

While speaking earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Elom who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Dennis Akoh, noted that the University prides itself as the most serious public university in Nigeria, adding that it is evidenced in the way the University conducts her academic activities, and her insistence on the academic calendar.

He stressed that the university has a crop of highly committed academics and non teaching staff who are working together towards achieving the University’s aspiration of becoming a world class institution.


Rep. of the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Engr. Henry Awuruegu about planting a tree on behalf of the Minister in support of the Campus-Green Initiative of the University
The Vice-Chancellor also used the opportunity to appeal for the support of the Minister in the infrastructural development of the University.



The highlight of the conference was tree planting in support of the campus-green initiative of the university.