A University Don, with the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, Professor Umar Omeiza AROKE, has advocated a workable programme on Circular Economy (CE) for the environment and safety of the people dwelling therein.
The University Don made the advocacy when he delivered the 47th Inaugural Lecture Series of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi with the title: Waste and Circular Economy: Exploring and Utilizing the Value chain for Wealth Creation and Sustainable Environment.
According to him, “In today’s fast-paced world, sustainability has become a crucial aspect of contemporary business practices and governmental policies. The Circular Economy (CE) model, focusing on recycling, reusing, and reducing waste, is essential for achieving ecological balance and economic prosperity.”
He highlighted the key points to include: Understanding CE versus traditional linear economy, Cross-sector collaboration for sustainability and Raising awareness through various platforms.
He also highlighted benefits of CE to include Environmental impact which reduces waste and promotes efficient resource use, Economic perspective which drives innovation and job creation as well as Social benefits which promotes equity and sustainable livelihoods
The University Don then recommended the utilization of technology and innovation for waste management, implement a robust circular economy roadmap and promote awareness and participation across all sectors.
He also recommended the enforcement of policies to regulate waste disposal and encourage public-private partnerships for waste management
In conclusion, Umar Omeiza stated that, “The conversion of waste into useful products, such as adhesive from waste EPS, is a significant achievement in environmental sustainability. Embracing the Circular Economy is crucial for combating plastic pollution and achieving a cleaner environment.”
In his opening address, the Vice Chancellor of the ATBU, Bauchi, Professor Ibrahim Hassan Garba, said that, “If you may recall, during the last inaugural lecture held a few months ago, I promised you that this important academic exercise will no longer be buried, rather, it will come back alive with vigour. It was unfortunate that for many years in the past, the inaugural lecture series of the University went comatose, but I am glad that we are gradually resuscitating it and we shall not be complacent in this regard until every Professor in the service of this University has delivered his inaugural lecture.”
He added,”While I commend the efforts of the Ceremonies Committee of the University for their ecouraging steps so far at resuscitating the University inaugural lecture, I hereby charge the Committee to further consolidate their efforts by looking outside the University to attract public lecturers so that this aspect of the University education and elightenment is not allowed to die as well.”
According to him, *There are Academics in Public Service and seasoned adminisrators who are leading sensitive organs of government and have alot to share on this platform. I am sure the committee will do the needful in this regard.*
The VC then took a few minutes to introduce the inaugural Lecturer, Professor Umar Omeiza Aroke, who was born on 9 March 1971 in the historic Badoko–Orietesu ward of Okene Town, Kogi State, to the illustrious family of late Ahmed Aninya Aroke and late Aminatu Omeneke Ahmed.
He began his formal education at the Local School Management Board Demonstration (I) Primary School, Okene, and proceeded to Abdul Aziz Atta Memorial College, Okene, where he obtained his West African Examinations Council General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level in 1987.
He earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1998, and a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering
from the University of Lagos, Akoka–Yaba, in 2002.
He later obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Chemical Engineering from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, in 2014, specializing in process engineering and optimization.
In 2012, Prof. Aroke was awarded a Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF) merit scholarship to the Grenoble Graduate School of Business, France, where he obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice under the University Lecturers Skills Enhancement Training Programme (ULSETP).
He joined ATBU, Bauchi, as an Assistant Lecturer in 2002 and rose through the ranks to the position of Professor of Chemical Engineering in 2018.
Prof. Umar Omeiza Aroke exemplifies academic excellence, visionary leadership, and transformative scholarship in Chemical Engineering.
A pillar of professional engineering, he is a corporate member of The Nigerian Society of Engineers (MNSE), the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (MNSChE), and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (Regd-COREN).
His national service extends to National Universities Commission (NUC) Ad-hoc Accreditation panels for premier institutions including Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti; Gregory University, Uturu; Caritas University, Enugu, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Osun State University, Osogbo; First Technical University, Ibadan; Federal University, Dutsinma; and the University of Lagos, Akoka.
Within ATBU and the wider academic community, Prof. Aroke administrative and academic capacity prowess shines through roles he has served, including Registration Officer and Industrial Training Officer, Department of Chemical Engineering (DChE); Head of Department, DChE; Member, Examination Misconduct Committee, Faculty of Engineering and Engineering Technology (FEET); Member, Research and Innovation Committee, FEET; Chairman/Member, Junior Staff Investigation Committee, ATBU; and Coordinator, Postgraduate Studies, DChE.
Professor Aroke is currently Chairman of the Women Society Nursery School (WSNS) Parent–Teacher Association. Prof. Aroke rigorous peer reviews grace esteemed outlets like Nigerian Journal of Tropical Engineering, Particulate Science and Technology, ABUAD Journal of Engineering Research and Development, Nigerian Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and ATBU Journal of Environmental Technology. Since 2015 till date, he has served as an external examiner (PhD/M.Eng) and/or professorial assessor for several universities, including the University of Maiduguri, Ahmadu Bello University (Zaria), the Federal University of Technology (Minna), and Obafemi Awolowo University (Ile-Ife).
As a global scholar, he has traversed nearly all Nigerian states and France, fostering international collaborations. Prof. Aroke’s scholarly footprint is profound: supervised to completion over 200 B.Eng research and design projects, 11 M.Eng theses, and 4 PhD dissertations.
His scholarly output includes more than 60 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers, as well as two co-authored technical books, and he is widely regarded as an exemplary academic mentor to students and colleagues within and beyond his department.
He is married and blessed with children.
