Mentees and Associates of one of Nigeria’s Renowned Physicists, Emeritus Professor Abiodun Francis Oluwole, have sited an Air Quality Monitoring Station within the premises of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, in honour of his extensive contributions to environmental management and air quality research in Nigeria.
Blacktalker reports that the Emeritus Professor A.F. Oluwole Air Quality Monitoring Station is expected to enhance air quality monitoring in the country, providing accurate data on various air pollutants and supporting policy development.
In a keynote address, the Minister for the Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, reinforced the federal government’s commitment to tackling air pollution and providing support for initiatives that aim to enhance air quality monitoring in the country.
Lawal, who was represented by the federal controller of the environment, Lagos, Olabimpe Adeniake, noted that Nigeria is currently the tenth most polluted country in Africa and the eighteenth most polluted globally, with the major contributors as emissions from construction activities, industrial processes, power plants and transportation.
He said the newly inaugurated station is expected to support the government’s ongoing efforts to implement a national clean air programme and foster a science-based approach to policymaking.
The project coordinator, Emeritus Professor Bode Asubiojo, expressed pride in the station’s dedication to Professor A.F. Oluwole, given his extensive contributions to environmental management and air quality research in the Country.
He stressed the critical role of the station in monitoring air pollution, noting that it provides continuous data to detect harmful pollutant levels, allowing for timely interventions.
When asked about the choice of Lagos for the station, Professor Asubiojo highlighted the city’s status as Nigeria’s economic hub and one of the nation’s most densely populated areas, where vehicular emissions significantly contribute to air pollution. He also noted the secure location provided by the orthopedic hospital, ensuring the facility’s safety.
On the maintenance, Professor Asubiojo assured of a sustinable maintainance culture and protection from vandals through the robust collaboration with the Ministry for the Environment and other stakeholders.
Earlier in his remarks, Acting Chief Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dr. Wakil Lawal, extended gratitude to the project’s stakeholders, mentees, associates, partners and contributors for bringing the vision to life.
“This is a promise to our children and the generations to come. We must protect the air we breathe and maintain this facility for the good of all.”
“With this initiative, authorities can make informed decisions, create effective policies, and implement action plans that reduce the burden of environmental diseases,” he added.
The Chief Technical Officer of Scientific Energy and Environmental Management Systems (SEEMS) Ltd., Dr. Olusesan Joshua, who led the technical implementation, highlighted that the station represents a transition from conventional gas analyzers to sensor-based technology.
According to Dr. Joshua, a remote terminal would be hosted at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, under the joint management of the Environmental Health Research Group and the Institute for Ecology and Environmental Studies.
The honouree and Renowned Nigerian Physicist, Abiodun Oluwole, who was represented by his brother, Mr. Akin Oluwole, at the event, lauded his mentees and associates for their dedication in bringing the project to life, emphasizing that their efforts reflected a commitment to a shared vision of environmental sustainability.