A University Don and the Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Nigerian Society of Nematologists (NISON), Professor (Mrs.) Olufunke Egunjobi, has described nematodes as great enemies to the well being of man. Professor Egunjobi made this known while delivering her keynote address during the Second Biennial Conference of the Society, held recently in the University, where she stated that nematodes contribute to hunger, disease and poverty that confound humanity today. She said nematodes also caused hunger by feeding as parasites on all plants, by feeding on their roots, stems, leaves, flowers, buds and seeds and causing many diseases that could result in substantial decline in food production or total crop failure, thereby, contributing to hunger. According to her, nematodes, which are parasitic on plants are not visible to the naked eyes, while those that are parasitic on man and animals are bigger than others. Some of them are: Ascariasis (the common round worm), the Onchocerca Volvolus (River Blindness), Dracunculus Medinensis (also known as Guinea worm) and the Wucheria Bancrofti (that causes elephantiasis of the scrotum as well as the legs). “Virtually all grazing animals such as cattle, sheep and goats suffer from nematode-induced diseases such as weight loss and general reduced productivity.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Adekojo Waheed, appreciated the Nematologists, whose executive members had earlier paid him a courtesy call, noting that the University appreciated the research-oriented forum. He thanked the Keynote speaker for making herself available for the conference despite her tight schedule.

The President of the Association, Professor ‘Dele Fawole, expressed gratitude that the second edition was hosted by FUNAAB, while he commended the University Management for the rapid infrastructural development the University had witnessed over the years. The highpoint of the event was the cutting of NISON anniversary cake and the presentation of N20,000.00 conference sponsorship cheques to four students.