The 112th Inaugural Lecturer of the University of Calabar, Prof Ayi Anyama Ayi has identified the over-dependence on fossil fuel as the bane of environmental pollution in Nigeria.

Prof. Ayi stated this at the institution's International Conference Centre while delivering the institution's 112th Inaugural lecture on the topic: '' Metal-Organic Frameworks as Panacea for Global Energy and Environmental Pollution Problems''.

According to him, most of our energy comes from fossil fuel and burning these fuel causes' environmental problems, and in particular, the global warming problem.

The Inaugural lecturer who said Nigeria is at energy crossroads added that different energy sources ranging from wood, peat, coal, petrol and natural gas are all carbon-based which releases unwanted gases into the atmosphere, thereby polluting the environment.

Ayi, a Professor of Inorganic/Materials Chemistry said, '' the energy consumption in Nigeria with a population of about 200 million is growing and there has been a constant electrical power outage resulting in total blackouts most time in the country.

'' The over-dependence on fossil fuel with the attendant environmental pollution constitutes a major problem confronting our nation and the world at large".

                                                 

 The Don maintained that the burning of fossil fuel (coal, natural gas and oil) inevitably leads to an increasing level of pollutant gasses in the atmosphere, thus aggravating the greenhouse effect and its global adverse consequences.

While proffering a solution to the menace, Prof. Ayi said global action on all major modern pollutants is needed, adding that, global efforts can synergize with other global environmental policy programmes.

This came as he identified a rapid transition away from all fossil fuel to clean, renewable energy as an effective strategy for preventing pollution.

He said to transit from a fossil fuel-based energy economy to a sustainable and clean, renewable energy sources such as hydrogen fuel cells, Li-ion rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors and solar cells need to be adopted.

Prof Ayi who is the current Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences said it has become expedient to develop and optimize various energy storage and conversion technologies and materials aimed at the utilization of different clean energy sources, maintaining that, metal-organic frameworks, a new class of porous crystalline materials, act as an outstanding candidate in this field.

       

To achieve this, he said there must be coordinated government action that focuses on the transition to natural renewable energy sources.

Prof Ayi, however, called on the Federal Government to quickly develop a road map for the hydrogen economy to create an ecosystem of hydrogen industry for energy production, storage and transportation.

The inaugural lecturer further appealed that the Research and Development unit of Nigerian Universities should be properly funded for the design of frameworks materials that can store hydrogen gas at ambient temperature, even as he solicited for partnership with the Director of Technology and Innovation Centre, UNICAL to achieve this laudable initiative.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof Florence Obi, in her remarks, described the inaugural lecture as an 'academic feast' for both the 'town and the gown' and assured that her administration will continue to sustain the inaugural lecture series.

                       

Prof Florence Obi who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Grace Eno Nta described the theme of the inaugural lecture as apt, stressing that the solutions proffered by the inaugural lecturer for energy storage and environmental pollution should not be treated with levity.

She said as an Alumni of the institution, the inaugural lecturer has made the institution proud, saying his wealth of knowledge in the field of Chemistry is phenomenal.

The high point of the occasion was the presentation of a memento to the Inaugural lecturer by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) on behalf of the Vice Chancellor.