500 Scientists, Industry Leaders In Cross River Varsity For Microbiology Conference

In a bid to tap into power of microbiology for national development, no fewer than 500 stakeholders, including professors, researchers and technocrats yesterday assembled at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSSS) to explore the potential of microbiology in driving national development.

The conference aimed to promote microbiological research and education, as well as explore ways to harness microbiology for national development.

The acting national president of the Nigeria Society for Microbiology, Prof Saleh Ado, while speaking at the 47th Scientific Conference and Annual General meeting with theme : “Microbial innovations and Enterpenurial Microbiology: The pathway to a healthy society and economic prosperity,” highlighted the conference’s significance, stressing that its outcome would have a substantial impact on Nigeria’s economic development and beyond.

The conference focused on recent advancements in microbial technologies to identify approaches for sustainable agriculture and food security.

The Local Organizing Committee Chairman, Prof. Felix Akubuenyi, emphasised the potential of microbiology to drive enterprise and economic growth. He encouraged participants to explore innovative ideas, such as microbial waste management, to  turn  waste degraders into profitable recycling ventures.

Others include biofertilizer technologies, to empower smallholder farmers with sustainable agricultural practices, pharmaceutical innovations, leveraging Nigeria’s biodiversity to develop new medicines.

Akubuenyi described the conference as a platform for innovation, collaboration, organized by  the body to translate  science into solutions.

He urged participants to chart a pathway that would position microbiology as a driver of health, wealth, and national prosperity, ultimately leading Nigeria into a bio-driven economy.

Vice Chancellor of UNICROSSS Prof. Francisca Bassey, who is represented by the registrar of the institution  Edim Ekanem,  assured  participants of the institution’s willingness to do everything within its reach to ensure that deliberations at the conference get to policy makers for  implementation to a logical conclusion.