By David Peter
As the Soil continues to remain an essential vitality to livelihood, agriculture, engineering and our environment. The University of Calabar; Department of Soil Science, UNICAL staff's and undergraduates commemorate the ceremonial day as marked globally "World Soil Day", held on 5th December 2019, at the Soil Science Quality Laboratory, University of Calabar, Calabar.
David Peter, noted the topnotch personalities, dignitaries and government officials in attendance. In present, on the event was; The immediate past, Commissioner of Agriculture, CRS, Prof. Anthony Egrinya Eneji, Frm. VC Academic UNICAL; Prof. Amalu Uche, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment CRS, The Vice Principal UNICAL Demonstration Secondary School, Director, UNICAL Agro Allied Industry; Dr. Emmanuel Effah, Prof. Peter Ogban, HOD Soil Science UNICAL; Dr. Paul Okon Inyang, Dr. Mrs B Iren, Dr. S. M Afu, and other staffs of the Department, Soil Science Undergraduates and Students from UNICAL Demonstration Secondary School.
The Chairman of the Occasion, Prof Amalu Uche, expressed his esteem gratitude to members of the highest table in commonly, Prof. Anthony Eneji, a fellow of Soil Science Society of Nigeria on his approved nomination as a Commissioner in Cross river state. Prof. Amalu, also unveil the genesis of the World Soil Day on his welcomed addressed.
Amalu speaking, "My way of welcoming all distinguished members of the highest table notably, Professor Anthony Eneji for his nomination as a commissioner in Cross river state and i hope his reappointment and nomination will credit him the Commissioner of Agriculture to continue his good works".
He said, "This day is blissful for us- the Soil scientist and Ever since 2014, the Department of Soil Science, University of Calabar have consistently marked 5th December an annual event for the celebration of the World Soil Day as approved by the United Nation's".
Continuing, "In accordance to the history of the World Soil Day Celebration, The King of Thailand, His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej whose birthday his marked 5th December was chosen to celebrate the World Soil Day in recognition of his special interest and historical achievement of King Bhumibol which led to the proposal of the 17th World Congress of Soil Science Society in Bangkok Thailand, 2002". Amalu expound.
"This day, as a fellow in the Soil Science Society of Nigeria there can't be any greater joy for me than this day amidst to celebrate the World Soil Day 2019 on the theme, STOP SOIL EROSION, SAVE THE FUTURE". He said.
Professsor Peter Ogban, a keynote speaker expressed his tenterhooks as a Soil Scientist; he said, We are Soil Science but, the Soil isn't in us. He also advice, participants to trim measures on causing path to soil erosion through our daily farming processes to stop erosion and save the future.
Professor Peter speaking, "Soil Erosion is recognized as one of the biggest threat to livelihood and our environment because it's the primary source of sediments that pollutes streams and fill reservoirs thereby causing the greatest loss of soil fertility".
"Erosion hampers the provision of many vital ecosystems. However, we have over 200 gully erosion sites in Calabar which the NEWMAP are working to protect the life and properties of the Soil". "Some of the causes of this erosion are; climatic factors, exposed of Soil Surface, Human activities, also, as the rain splash on the soil it exposes the top and surface of the soil to erosion" Ogban said.
He further advised participants, to have a relationships with the soil to stop erosion and save the future.
Ogban alarming, "Soil is not dirt, but a living organisms. So therefore, we must have a close relationship with the soil also, we must protect it to save our future generation from erosion hazards, he ended.
The Immediate Past, Commissioner of Agriculture, CRS unveiled preventive measures to curb erosion on his lecture as a keynote speaker, he also expressed, the remarkable day as celebrated with press men during an interview.
Eneji enlighted, "There are different measures to control erosion in Cross river state to save our future, we have; The Engineering method, The Biological method, The Barrier method, The Contour system, terracing, The use of greens; as cover crops, etc to boost the soil fertility. But, as an agronomists i will deal more on Soil perspective not the engineering measure's". He lectured.
David Peter, grant an interviewed with The Immediate Past Commissioner of Agriculture CRS, Prof. Anthony Eneji on the theme as commemorated, the measures thus far to curb soil erosion in Cross river state and the government efforts in continuity.
Professor Anthony speaking, "This year theme is on Soil Erosion and we have to control erosion as it's a very big problem worldwide, there are different modern measure now in place to save our soil and protect it. However, some measures have been developed newly to save the planet with our aimed at keeping the soil in place for agricultural and engineering purpose without losing it".
"Providentially, Cross river state is sufficient in rainfall at lease ecological rank covers it. But, it's sad that some crossriverians are doing massive illegal wooding and deforestation".
"The measures i highlighted the use of polymers are suitable used for dryer areas, areas receiving less than 500mmr/yr we can use it as they have long lasting effect on the soil for over three years so, i can recommend such to the state".
Prof Eneji added, "In Cross river state, we are suffering massively from gully erosion especially in the southern part of the state and particularly here in calabar so there is a lot of work that needs to be done to control this gully erosion that is; Water erosion.
"Propitiously, the NEWMAP are trying its best and i hope they achieve a positive results". Eneji prayed.
Continuing, "I have always collaborated with the Ministry of Environment even while, as Commissioner of Agriculture in controlling the environment, checking erosion also with the collaboration of World Bank and, you know the state Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, have placed emphasis on ecological control and himself his an ecologist, so there is a lot of budget he as assigned to carry out projects to keep the integrity of our soil in place". Eneji said.
Dr. S M Afu and Dr. Eyong, lecturers in the Department of Soil Science UNICAL anchored the discussant session in remark of the theme as well, review the keynote speakers address.
Dr. Afu said, "The process of Soil erosion is the greatest enemy of man. What happens to the soil as it erodes, what happens to the nutrients, what happens to the soil life? "We understand, the major two causes of soil erosion are Natural and Human Induce factors. He added, we must think about our children (The future) and management of the soil, Soil is life and we must stop erosion to save the future, Afu caution.
The World Soil Day 2019 as convey by the University of Calabar, Department of Soil Science ended with pleasant remarks by the Head, Department of Soil Science UNICAL; Dr. Paul B. Okon-Inyang in encomium to all attendees and sponsors. Thereafter, he ushered a group photographs for remembrance amongst the keynote speakers, invited guests, undergraduates and the secondary school students present.u
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