Introduction
The entire Population and Environment at large have been confronted with a lot of health challenges emanating from Toxicological impacts of oil and gas industries on the Environment. There is an urgent need to evaluate not only the sources but also the health implications and possibly ways of ameliorating or preventing the health effects of such hazardous chemicals using natural antidote.
The postgraduate programme in Environmental Toxicology is designed to offer intensive training in special areas with emphasis on selected research programmes and also to promote research on suspected and known environmental toxicants with emphasis on multidisciplinary approaches, provide education and laboratory training at the postgraduate level and facilitates exchange of scientific information relating to molecular and medical Toxicology, environmental and public health issues especially as it relates to Niger Delta, Nigeria and Sub-Sahara Africa.
Lack of equity, excellence and integrity noted in handling some of the effects is compounded by the paucity of highly skilled and motivated health professionals who are equipped with current knowledge, skills and competencies required for conducting cutting –edge research in toxicology that would help mitigate the public health issues arising from oil and gas exploration in Nigeria. This can be achieve by developing high calibre manpower, with the requisite teaching skills and research abilities, to handle the public health and environmental challenges hindering sustainable development in regions of Africa where oil and gas activities are on-going.
Rationale for the Graduate Programme in Environmental Toxicology
The rationale for the graduate programme in Toxicology is to bridge the gap and dearth of adequately trained environmental toxicologist by impacting in desirous students current knowledge, skills and competencies required to improve the practice of toxicology; produce cutting –edge research projects in toxicology to solve environmental health issues arising from oil and gas sectors and undertake consultancy and community services to educate the use of natural antidotes to reduce the threat of such environmental toxicants.
This proposed programme of study is intended to address this gap by training individuals who want to develop their expertise in Environmental Toxicology.
Aims and Objectives of the Post Graduate Programmes in Environmental Toxicology
The aim of the post graduate programmes in Environmental Toxicology is to provide the student with the latest scientific information on the various toxicological effects of such environmental pollutants (air, soil and water) to both human and other living creatures and the skills for assessment and use of natural antidotes to avert such effects. The specific objectives include:
- To provide training in both Health related Toxicology and Environmental Toxicants that would enable the graduates to identify the risks to health and environments.
- To provide the training that would empower the graduate to halt the identified health and environmental hazards.
- To adapt this training in Environmental Toxicology to the diverse backgrounds and anticipated future careers of the students.
- To award the degree to individuals who have acquired a particular depth of knowledge in Toxicology.
- To provide training in the methods of scientific enquiring for candidates interested in and are capable of pursuing academic career in research and /or teaching
- To provide graduate students with advanced knowledge and skills needed to meet the ever increasing national and international manpower need in Toxicological training and research.
- To produce high calibre with doctorate degree (PhD) via entrepreneurial research, innovative teaching and assessments methods who will play leading roles in bridging the gap and dearth of adequately trained environmental toxicologist in academia, private industries and governments agencies
Intended Learning Outcomes
The intended learning outcomes on successful completion of the various trainings in Environmental Toxicology are:
- Know the concept of Environmental Toxicology and its involvement in public health challenge in Nigeria;
- Describe the health hazards in the environment as a result of oil and gas, and its possible outcome
- Carry out studies to identify prevalent environmental problems emanating from the pollutants from oil and gas in the community and determine the effective means of solving them;
- Know how to plan, organize and evaluate health programmes with aim of imbibing in the general publics on the use of available natural resources to avert some of the intended problems emanating from oil & gas exploration and exploitation.
- Exhibit the highest principle of public health ethics in the development of abatement programmes for identified environmental health hazards.
- Carry out a research project in any area of Environmental Toxicology.
- Develop the spirit of team work with members of the health officer to sort for common goal in achieving toxic free environments.