An Associate Professor in Applied Geophysics at the College of Natural Sciences (COLNAS), Dr. Biodun Badmus, has identified some Earth Natural Treasures which could catalyse the nation into rapid development.
Dr. Badmus made this known recently while delivering the 12th Leadership Lecture Series of the College titled “Applied Geophysics: The Secret of Natural Earth Treasures”.
He said that Applied Geophysics, as a profession had contributed immensely to the nation’s growth. The don, who is also the Chairman, ASUU-FUNAAB Chapter, stressed that oil and gas, which controlled about 70 percent of Nigeria’s natural wealth, should not be seen as the only sources of the nation’s resources, but that better options should be tapped from other valuable Earth Treasures. He said “there were numerous other sources that were not famous or popular, which Nigeria as a nation could explore for her economic growth. Amongst these were: Solid minerals, Precious/Gem Stones, etc., some exposed and some buried beneath the Earth’s surface. Not only that, water as a natural resource is “life” and there is this adage in Yoruba Language “Apon mi ta kin padanu” meaning “whoever does water business never runs at loss”. This, he described, as another very important treasure of the Earth, either surface or groundwater”. He proposed that research should be geared towards the exploration of more Earth treasures and that many of the nation’s numerous solid minerals were still under explored.
Earlier, the Dean of the College, Professor Tope Popoola, stated that the 12th Lecture Series was the fourth to be presented from the Department of Physics. He added that Dr. Badmus had carved a niche for himself in the academia because he is the first Ph.D graduate of Applied Geophysics from the University of Lagos.
