Idemyor Identifies Health, Education as Pathways to Sustainable Development

As Nigeria continues to grapple with climate change and developmental challenges, a Visiting Scholar at the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Vincent Idemyor, has identified harnessing of health and education as key to the attainment of sustainable development in the country.

Idemyor made the observation while delivering the maiden Legacy Lecture of Government Comprehensive Secondary School (GCSS), Borokiri, Old Boys Association.

The lecture captioned “Bridging Health and Education: Pathways to Sustainable Development in a Changing Climate”, was a homecoming of sorts for the Old Boys who gathered at School’s Auditorium.

Delivering the Lecture, who Idemyor pointed out that “sustainable development is not a technical term, but an ethical pursuit,” explained that it is concerned with meeting the needs of the current generation without compromising the needs of the future generations. He regretted that majority of those in leadership positions in Nigeria today are not concerned about the future, stressing the importance of adopting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a guide.

Citing the World Health Organization, Idemyor defined health as the state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, and the extent to which an individual or group is able to realize aspiration and satisfy needs and to change and cope with the environment.

He warned students against uses and abuses of alcohol, drugs and substances as doing so may ruin their future. He noted that food is essential to human health and existence.

“People who eat the right food rich in nutrients enjoy their lives more, live longer, and are at a reduced risk of diseases”, he said, stressing the need for urgent action towards tackling the challenges of climate change and food insecurity in the country.”

Emphasizing the need for education that focuses on a sustainable development, Idemyor cited SDG 4–Quality Education, calling for refocused efforts aimed improving learning outcomes for the full life circle, especially for women, girls and marginalized people in vulnerable settings.

Differentiating the Old Paradigm of Higher Education from the New Paradigm, the Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, noted that the educational needs of the emergent knowledge economy are different from those of the industrial economy, adding that technical skills are no longer enough in today’s workplace.

He listed lifelong learning, emotional intelligence, leadership/mentorship, and multidisciplinary team skills, as some of the relevant skills today. Others include, digital, creativity/storytelling, innovation, commercialization and entrepreneurial skills.

Earlier in his address, President of the Association, Richard Koko, who welcomed the Old Boys’, current teachers, students and other guests to the school, stating the event was put together by the National Executive Council in collaboration with the University of Port Harcourt chapter of the Association.

“The Executive Council under my leadership is poised to redirect and re-orientate our members to the vision of our founding fathers which makes a thoroughbred comprehensive boy: confident and outstanding in all spheres of life,” he said.

In their separate speeches, former President, Nigeria Bar Association, Chief OCJ Okocha, and former Vice Chancellor University of Port Harcourt, Professor Joseph Ajienka, chairman and co-chairman of the occasion respectively, lauded Professor Idemyor for the lecture, calling for annual legacy weeks, featuring lectures in future.

A former Chief Medical Director of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Professor Aaron Ojule also commended the lecturer, urging the current students to take their studies seriously to enable to become leaders that will make the school and the nation proud in future.