“Human Beings will Remain Useful Tools or Custodians of the Environment” -Prof. Lameed

By Arafat Balogun

Gbolagade Akeem Lameed, Professor of Wildlife Ecology, Faculty of Renewable Resources, delivered an inaugural lecture at the faculty of science lake side lecture theatre titled: Wildlife not Hard-life: Custodian of the Environment.
Prof. Lameed mentioned that the environment is not composed exclusively of biotic factors, but includes non-living features, and together, they make a functional unit of the ecosystem, which is an independent unit.
He explained that the need to understand physical environment (land, water, and air) in which we operate cannot be overemphasized because it is within these and the resources they supply, that human needs are provided for.
”As we affect the environment, it in turn affects us, and such effects can either be positive or negative. Therefore, a conscious attempt to promote the positive effects of social action on the environment and minimize the negative ones becomes imperative.” He further revealed.
Prof. Lameed defined wildlife as all non-domesticated plants and animals which live outdoors including mammals and wild plants. He explained that wildlife is important to us as it provides recreation for millions of people, provides income for the government and also it is of economic benefits to the society.
Prof. Lameed mentioned wildlife resources have suffered serious depletion as a result of over-exploitation and gross misuse. Wild animals which used to be a source of protein for people are disappearing through wildfire, forest degradation and indiscriminate hunting.
“We need to have a good understanding of our environment as a necessity of life in order to be a good custodian of our environment rather than people who display inimical attitudes towards the environment, because either we like it or not, humans will remain useful tools or custodians of the environment which is the whole world.”