Campus News

Egbewole commends CERB on campus food safety

By Bashir Dawodu and Adewole Muizdeen

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has lauded the institution’s Campus Eatery Regulatory Board (CERB) on its efforts in ensuring food safety and hygiene across eateries on campus.

Prof. Egbewole gave this commendation last Wednesday (May 28,2025), while speaking at a sensitisation workshop organised by the Campus Eatery Regulatory Board, themed “Food Safety, Personal Hygiene and Proper Environmental Practice in Academic Eatery Environments,” held at University Auditorium Basement.

Prof. Egbewole, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology, and Innovation), Prof. Muhtar Etudaiye, praised the Board’s efforts in creating a safer dining environment for students and staff.

The Vice Chancellor said, “The Campus Eatery Regulatory Board is our own NAFDAC on campus,” adding that “It plays a crucial role in preventing the consumption of contaminated food and promoting the health and well being of members of the University community.”

 Prof. Egbewole, who was also the chief host of the event, emphasised the importance of high standards in food preparation, saying, “The health and well being of our students and staff is paramount.”

In her remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola, appreciated the organisers for using the sensitisation workshop to orientate people on how to take care of their personal hygiene and proper environmental practice.

In her presentation, titled “Personal Cleanliness of Food Handlers and Environmental Sanitation,” the Chief Environmental Health Officer at the University of Ilorin Health Services, Mrs T.F. Ogunremi, stressed that hygiene must begin with the food handlers themselves.

“A nutritious meal can become a source of illness if it is prepared in an unhygienic environment or by an unclean handler,” Mrs Ogunremi said.

 She highlighted essential hygiene practices, including the use of proper uniforms, routine cleaning of work areas, and frequent handwashing.

 Also speaking, the Deputy Chairman of CERB, Prof. Olufunmilola A. Abiodun, who  delivered a paper on “Food Safety, Protection, Preservation, and Storage”, stressed the need for education and training of food vendors and handlers, adequate facilities, and routine monitoring to reduce the risk of food poisoning.

The Director of UNILORIN Health Services, Dr R. A Odunola, underscored the necessity of regular medical screenings for food handlers, stating that it is vital to protect the health of consumers.

In his presentation, the Principal Fire Superintendent of the University, Mr Ibrahim Olanrewaju Abdulrasaq, advised participants on the proper use of fire extinguishers and fire safety protocols in kitchens and food stalls.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the CERB, Prof. Lukman O. Abdur-Rahman, reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to food safety. “This workshop is part of our ongoing strategy to cultivate a culture of hygiene and safety among food handlers and vendors on campus,” he said.