By Ngozi Oji
Scholar of Special Education at the College of Education, Warri,
Dr. Nicholas Efemena Ezele, has described noise as an “accident” and a destructive enemy that must be kept at bay to protect human hearing and public health.
Dr. Ezele made the declaration while Delivering the 11th Inaugural Lecture of the College titled The Accident of Noise : The Ear as victim.
The lecture drew the Deputy Provost, Provost-Elect, Registrar, Bursar, Librarian, Deans, Directors, Heads of Department, Chief Lecturers, students, and members of the
Ezele family and well wishers as well as special Students from Dom Domingos secondary school warri .
Lecturer
Dr Ezele said noise qualifies as an accident because it carries harmful and destructive elements similar to those in standard definitions of accidents.
The lecturer said industrial noise pollution remains a global problem that has invaded virtually every part of the world’s environment.
He used the lecture to expose the dangers of noise by taking the audience through its meaning, types, sources, measurement, and effects.
He warned that some damage caused by noise, such as Noise Induced Hearing Loss, is irreversible.
However, he noted that the lecture also highlighted practical ways through which noise pollution can be reduced, if not completely avoided .
Dr. Ezele urged Nigerians to take the anti-noise campaign more seriously to promote healthy environments and preserve hearing. “Prevention they say is better than cure. Let us wish ourselves and our neighbours a ‘noise free’ life,” he said.
He added that those already impacted by what he called the “noise virus” should seek remedies mentioned in the lecture and continue to live life to the fullest.
The scholar commended states like Lagos and Ogun for leading efforts to ensure noise-free environments in Nigeria, and expressed hope that Delta State and other states would join the struggle to tackle the menace. He noted that many countries and major cities are already taking action through policies and agencies to protect citizens from the “monster called noise”.
He added that noise at any given time is not a ‘friend’ but a ‘foe’,” he declared. “Noise whether from loudspeakers in the church or from machines in the industry is an enemy that must be kept at bay as much as possible.”
Dr.Ezele recommended that All generators on campus and in residential areas should be moved to safe distances to reduce noise exposure.
He advised that People should use ear plugs or wear ear muffs when working in noise-prone areas.
Declaring the lecture open, the Provost of the College and chairman of the 11th inaugural lecture, Dr Dickson Oyovwi described inaugural lectures as a time-honoured academic tradition and a rite of passage that celebrates a scholar’s career achievements, research breakthroughs, and future intellectual direction.
The Provost urged all present to take full advantage of the intellectual engagement, noting that such lectures equip the College community with knowledge that translates into better teaching, learning, and community impact.
He also expressed appreciation to the organizing committee and all staff who worked to make the 11th lecture in the series a success.
The lecture was part of the College of Education, Warri’s 11th Inaugural Lecture Series aimed at using academic research to address societal challenges.
