Soil science school clubs will increase scientists in Nigeria — Varsity don

Setting up soil science clubs in public and private secondary schools in Nigeria will enhance the number of soil scientists in the country as well as their knowledge of soil.

A university don, Prof. Demion Asawalam, advocated for this during a sensitization visit to schools in Umuahia, including Lbeku High School, Ndume Otuka Community Secondary School, and Mercy High School Ahiaeke.

Prof. Asawalam, a lecturer in soil science at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, MOUAU, and the southeast representative at the Nigerian Institute of Soil Science, said the exercise is necessary to increase the number of soil scientists in the country, maintaining that the issue of the food crisis will be adequately tackled if people have adequate knowledge of soil and it’s usage.

He advised the students to develop an interest in soil science to enable them to contribute to enhancing food production in the country through their expertise.

He described soil as important to man’s development and survival, emphasising that any nation that does not take advantage of its soil will be at the mercy of other countries that do.

Contributing, two other members of the institute, Prof. Godwin Nnaji and Prof. Rozata Eneje, said the setting up of the soil science clubs in the schools will help to increase knowledge.

They highlighted the further benefits of establishing the club in secondary schools, both public and private.