Prof. Temi Ologunorisa urges JAMB to make geography compulsory

Secondary School pupils during an examination.
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The Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, Osun State Univetsity, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, has called on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board to make geography compulsory for science pupils.

Ologunorisa made the call during the opening ceremony of the National Association of Geographers’ 55th annual conference at Osogbo.

Pupils, the academic said, had lost interest in studying geography, a development; he added was having an adverse effect on the way many Nigerians were relating to the environment.

Ologunorisa, who is a climatologist, said the conference was to sensitise pupils on the benefits of studying geography.

He said, “Geography is becoming unpopular among pupils and students because the JAMB has not made it a compulsory subject for science students seeking admission to higher institutions.

“Geography has been neglected over the years, even science pupils do not have to pass it before entering the university. This and some others contribute to the retrogression of the discipline.”

“Geographers do not only concentrate on the moon, sun and other planetary bodies but also study the environment. They give recommendations on what will save the physical environment. If Kainji Dam dries, we all know that Nigeria will be in trouble.”

The lecturer stressed that geography played important role in assisting the government for planning because it dwells on humans as well as on the environment.

He added, “The government should have it at the back of their mind that climate change does not only affect the country’s economy alone but also has a bad influence on political, security, and social activities in the country.”

Ologunorisa called on Nigerians to desist from activities, which could cause disequilibrium in the ecosystem, saying the nation could suffer greatly if there is no good protection of the environment.