Varsity Don Tasks Govts On Funding For Organic Chemistry Research

A professor of Organic Chemistry from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom State, Bassey Antia, has uncovered the natural potentials inherent in Organic Chemistry, noting that if properly explored and harnessed, could go a long way towards providing solutions to endemic socio-economic challenges facing humanity.

With health, food, environmental pollution and other social issues confronting the nation and her people, the Ibiono Ibom-born researcher explained that most of the complex chemical mysteries combined with other extraneous factors to weigh down on the development of the nation could be overcome with passionate political will by governments and other concerned authorities.

He made the advocacy while presenting the 105th in the series of inaugural lectures of the UNIUYO, titled Natural Products Chemistry: “Where the Mystery of the Natural World Manifest in Atoms, Molecules and Ions”, held at the 1,000-capacity TetFund Auditorium of the main campus, Nwaniba, Uyo, the state capital.

Querying how phenomena such as atoms, molecules, and ions enter biological systems and how natural products chemists unravel the mysteries in these organisms into interesting chemical structures for the benefit of man, Prof Antia stressed the need for committed investment through funding and equipping research institutions and universities with efficient manpower.

He said: “It’s obvious from the research findings that excellent facilities must be provided in our research institutions and universities and competent scientists trained internationally to handle these facilities. That will enable us to find functions for the numerous natural products in our natural environment.

“There should be a constant supply of water and electricity in the laboratories for the day-to-day running of experiment studies in the labs.

“Since medicinals from plants show enormous potential to improve the health and well-being of consumers, governments or their agencies should support research into our medicinal plants as this might lead to the production of standardised and verified plant medicinals.

“This will assist to increase the armamentarium of therapeutic agents available in our environment for alleviation and possible cure of various ailments.”