From INIOBONG SUNDAY, Uyo
Professor Bassey Antia of the Organic Chemistry Department, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has uncovered the natural potentials inherent in Organic Chemistry, noting that if properly explored and harnessed, it could provide 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 combining with other extraneous factors could be overcome with passionate political will by government and other concerned authorities.
He made the advocacy while presenting the 105th inaugural lecture of UNIUYO, titled; “Natural Products Chemistry: Where the Mystery of the Natural World Manifest in Atoms, Molecules and Ions”, held in Uyo, the state capital.
Querying how phenomena such as atoms, molecules and Ions enter into the biological system and how natural products chemists unravel the mysteries in these organisms into interesting chemical structures for the benefit of man,” Professor Antia stressed the need for committed investment through funding and equipping of research institutions and universities with efficient manpower.
“It is 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 find functions for the numerous natural products in our environment.
“There should be constant supply of water and electricity in laboratories for the day to day experiment.
“Since medicinals from plants show enormous potentials to improve the health and wellbeing of consumers, government or its agencies should support research into our medicinal plants, as this might lead to the production of standardised and verified plant medicinals.
“This will increase the armamentarium of therapeutic agents available in our environment for alleviation and possible cure of various ailments,” he said.
