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Open Access
Is carbon truly as guilty as charged? The perspective of a process systems engineer on sustainability
(UNILAG Press and Bookshop Limited, 2025-08-06) Usman, M.A.
This abstract examines the role of carbon within the sustainability discourse from the perspective of a process systems engineer. Carbon—primarily in the form of carbon dioxide—is often viewed as the principal culprit behind climate change and environmental degradation. However, this binary framing oversimplifies complex industrial, ecological, and societal systems. This paper critically analyzes carbon’s multifaceted role, considering both its negative impacts and its essential functions in various processes. By integrating principles of process systems engineering—systems modeling, optimization, and lifecycle assessment—this study evaluates carbon flows and emissions across industries, highlighting opportunities for sustainable redesign. It challenges the conventional guilt assigned to carbon by differentiating between unavoidable process emissions and those from inefficient practices or outdated technologies. The engineering perspective advocates for a systemic approach to sustainability that balances carbon reduction with economic viability and resource efficiency. Essential strategies discussed include carbon capture and utilization, circular economy integration, and innovation in process intensification. The paper also reflects on policy implications and the need for multidisciplinary collaboration to align engineering solutions with global sustainability goals. Ultimately, this perspective positions carbon not solely as an environmental villain, but as a critical element whose impact depends on how systems manage and transform it. This nuanced understanding informs more effective strategies for achieving sustainability in process design and operation, supporting a transition to low-carbon industrial futures. The findings contribute to advancing both academic discourse and practical frameworks by reframing carbon’s role through a scientifically rigorous, engineering-informed lens.
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Open Access
Curbing Hatred: The Ethnic Diehards’ Agitations and 2015 Presidential Election Campaign in Nigeria
(2019) Ogwezzy-Ndisika, A.O; Faustino, B.A; Amakoh, K.O
Nigeria witnessed bouts of hate speeches during the buildup to the March 28, 2015 Presidential election. Politicians and their allies made use of acerbic words, half-truths and outright lies during their electioneering campaigns. The election was regarded as a ‘do-or-die’ affair by the politicians. Their activities were alarming and apprehensions were rife about the success of the election and peaceful transition of power. Hence, the two major contestants, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari along with nine party leaders signed the ‘Abuja Accord’ on January 14, 2015. Furthermore, the country experienced a season of acerbic comments, issuance of quit notices and calls for secessions by ethnic jingoists. These activities heated up the polity and caused panic among the citizens of the country. On June 6, 2017, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum comprising of 19 Northern states of Nigeria issued a 90-day ultimatum to South-Eastern residents in the North to vacate the region before October 1, 2017. This article explores the use of hate speech in electioneering campaign drawing from secondary data i.e. newspaper excerpts; and through the lens of ethics using relevant Communication Practice Codes, Nigerian Press Council Code, Nigerian Broadcasting Code, 2012 and relevant sections of Electoral Act 2010. It also examines the issue of the ethnic diehards’ agitations and quit notice and its implications for national peace, security and justice. The argument and submission of this paper highlights ways of curbing hatred, advancing of peace, acceptance, tolerance and justice.
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Open Access
Address By The Pro-Chancellor Of The University Of Lagos, Alhaji Garba Ja Abdulkadir, O.F.R. At The 23rd Convocation Ceremonies. (1990 Matriculation and Convocation Speeches)
(University Of Lagos Press, 1990-04-14) Abdulkadir, G. J.
This article analyzes the 1990 matriculation address delivered by Professor Nurudeen Alao, then Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, focusing on its themes, tone, and institutional significance within Nigeria’s higher education landscape. Delivered in a period marked by social unrest and economic uncertainty following the anti-Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) protests, the speech underscores the importance of peace, discipline, and intellectual engagement as core values of university life. Professor Alao uses the occasion to formally induct over 3,000 new students, reinforcing their responsibilities as members of an academic community committed to scholarship, character formation, and civic responsibility. He frames the matriculation ceremony not merely as a rite of passage, but as a moral and academic contract between the university and its students. Key elements of the speech include a call to uphold university regulations, a reminder of the privileges and limits of academic freedom, and an emphasis on maintaining institutional heritage and resources. The speech also highlights the competitive nature of university admissions and the diverse opportunities for student involvement in governance and decision-making processes. In his address, Professor Alao draws attention to the need for critical thinking, respect for institutional values, and the cultivation of peaceful dialogue in times of dissent. His message is one of balance: encouraging vibrancy within lawful boundaries and advocating for freedom that does not compromise order. The address thus serves as both a vision statement and a behavioral guide for incoming students. It reflects the broader ethos of Nigerian public universities at a critical moment in history, where leadership, stability, and educational purpose intersect. This analysis situates the speech within the context of academic leadership and institutional resilience during political and economic transition.
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Open Access
Address By Chief S.O. Adebo, Chancellor of The University Of Lagos At The University's Congregation. (1990 Matriculation and Convocation Speeches)
(University Of Lagos Press, 1990-03-14) Adebo, S.O.
This article explores the 1990 convocation address delivered by Chief S. O. Adebo, Chairman of the University of Lagos, at a period marked by deep introspection and calls for reform in Nigeria’s higher education system. Speaking to a gathering of academics, students, and dignitaries—including the Minister of Education and representatives of the Federal Government—Chief Adebo uses the occasion to reflect on the role of universities as enduring communities of learning. He begins by acknowledging goodwill messages from state and federal authorities, before transitioning into a candid commentary on the diminishing public regard for universities and academic staff. Adebo expresses concern that, in some quarters, Nigerian universities and those who teach in them are viewed with skepticism or even contempt—a perception he finds deeply troubling. While refraining from assigning blame, he underscores the need for urgent systemic reform, pointing out that the sector is burdened by “intolerable constraints,” the most critical of which is chronic underfunding. The address serves as both a defense of the academic community and a rallying call for national stakeholders—including the government and the general public—to collaborate in addressing the structural, financial, and reputational challenges facing Nigerian higher education. Adebo balances his critique with admiration for the many dedicated scholars who continue to uphold academic standards under difficult circumstances. His speech emphasizes the importance of restoring the dignity, autonomy, and vitality of the university system in order to maintain its relevance in national development. By highlighting both the struggles and the promise of Nigerian academia, the address reinforces the moral and civic imperative to preserve the university as a sanctuary of knowledge and enlightenment.
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Open Access
"Taking Advantasge Of A Depressing Nigeria Economy To Accelerate Socio-Economic Development" (2013/2014 Convocation Lecture University Of Lagos)
(University of Lagos Press and Bookshop Limited, 2015-04-27) Okebukola. P.
This paper critically examines Professor Peter A. Okebukola’s 2013/2014 Convocation Lecture delivered at the University of Lagos, which offered an optimistic and strategic outlook on navigating Nigeria’s economic downturn. The lecture posits that despite prevailing economic challenges—characterized by declining oil revenues, high unemployment, infrastructure decay, and a strained education sector—Nigeria retains significant potential for socio-economic advancement. Okebukola argues that crises such as economic depressions often serve as catalytic moments for transformational change, if properly managed. Drawing from historical precedents and empirical data, the speaker advocates for an urgent rethinking of national priorities, with emphasis on investment in human capital, science and technology, education reform, and the diversification of the economy beyond oil dependency. He identifies education—particularly higher education—as a cornerstone of innovation and productivity, urging the government to make targeted investments in research, entrepreneurial education, and vocational training to reposition Nigeria competitively in the global economy. Furthermore, he calls for improved governance, reduction of systemic corruption, and a stronger focus on youth empowerment as critical levers for change. The address underscores the role of universities as think tanks for public policy and as engines for sustainable development, especially during periods of fiscal austerity. In conclusion, Okebukola delivers a message of hope: that with the right policy choices, Nigeria can turn its economic distress into an opportunity for comprehensive development and global relevance.