Blue Economy Key to Nigeria’s Food security, sustainable development, Varsity Don

A professor of genetics engineering, Olufeagba Olabode of the Department of Agriculture at the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has called on the federal government to invest heavily in Blue Economy to boost fish production in order to enhance food security for sustainable development.

Professor Olabode disclosed this yesterday while delivering 39th inaugural lecture of the institution at Adankolo Campus in Lokoja, with a title, “Fish Genetics and Sustainable Aquaculture: Pathways to Food Security and Blue Economy”.

The Don maintain that investment in the Blue economy will strengthen the water body to remains productive for future generation to maintain economic development with environmental sustainability.

He said Blue economy remains the sustainable use of ocean, sea and coastal resources to support economic growth, livelihood, and to create jobs while protecting the health of marine and coastal ecosystem without harming it.

Professor Olabode says the country has an estimated 12.5 million hectares of inland waters suitable for fish production, with around 7.5 million hectares of that being suitable for aquaculture.

Professor Olabode says: “The total potential production estimate is 2.5million annually making it posable for Nigeria to be self sufficient in fish production, if resources available are fully deployed and manage focusing on resource sustainability.

“Fish genetics can advance a sustainable fish production supporting the development of fisherics and aquaculture systems that are better prepared to adapt to current and cmerging challenges.

“Blue economy encompasses fisheries and aquaculture, oceans transport, oil exploration, tourism, coastal protection and ecosystem.

“There is a major link between fish breeding and the blue economy because the ocean receives more fish for culture fisheries than those from the wild”.

The varsity Don noted that through effective genetics and aquaculture practices , Nigeria can produce several million tons of fish to generate a lot of revenue for the country.

He stated further that fish production remains the fastest-growing livestock sector globally, despite challenges such as the high cost of feed, lack of improved fish stocks, inadequate skilled manpower, and limited resources for genetic improvement programmes.

He added: “With Nigeria’s abundant water resources and the increasing pool of trained personnel, the country is well-positioned to achieve near self-sufficiency in fish production in the near future.

“The Blue economy, which encompasses wealth derived from natural water bodies and aquaculture systems such as ponds and water circulatory systems, holds great promise for national development.

“Genetic improvement of fish for enhanced growth performance will significantly increase and sustain aquaculture production, thereby contributing to food security and the development of the Blue economy”.

“Fisheries and aquaculture can lead to actualization of the Blue economy by turning the ocean and inland-water resources into sustainable economic growth, jobs creation and source of food and maintenance of food security and sustainable livelihood”.

In his remarks, the out going Vice Chancellor of the federal university, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi said Inaugural Lecture is not merely a personal academic milestone; but a statement of the intellectual strength of the institution.

He said :”From the establishment of this University, only two Inaugural Lectures had been delivered. I considered that situation unacceptable. I said to myself and indeed to the academic community that we could not continue this way.

“Against this backdrop, I charged our Professors to rise to their responsibilities. In doing so, I reminded them that the professorial rank comes with obligations; obligations to scholarship, to mentorship, and to the public dissemination of knowledge.

“By the grace of God, today we are gathered for the 39th Inaugural Lecture. This is not by chance. It is the product of deliberate policy, firm resolve, and collective commitment.

“I am proud to say, without equivocation, that I am leaving this University better than I met it. In this regard, I can boldly declare: I came, I saw, and I conquered.

“Today, Federal University Lokoja is recognised as an academically vibrant and intellectually active institution. This is a legacy I cherish deeply”.

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