By Henry Ikenna

The Society of Testing Laboratory Analysts Of Nigeria, (SOTLAN) on Thursday called on the Federal government to restore the governing council of Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN) since its dissolvement in June 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

SoLTAN, a professional body of members in Chemical Analysis and Laboratory Testing was carved out of IPAN, Act CAP.I16LFN 2004, Institute of Public Analysts in Nigeria to enable it focus on discharging its statutory mandate of regulating the Laboratory Profession and practice in Nigeria.

Briefing journalists in Lagos, ahead of the 7th Annual Conference of Public Analysts, tagged COPA OLUMO 2025, President of SoTLAN, Professor, Olugbenga Ogunmoyela, called on the govt to urgently restore the governing council as its dissolvement had hindered the progress of the organisation.

He said: “It is, however, unfortunate that the wheels of our progress have been stifled for over two years, since the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dissolved the IPAN Governing Council with others including the boards of several Institutions and agencies of the government.

“Let me use this opportunity to appeal to the Government once again, to urgently restore our Council, the Membership of which is clearly and unambiguously guided by the 2004 IPAN Act.

“The Government must find a way round the frequent disruption in the governance of our institutions, as leaving them unsupervised for long periods leaves room for a deeper level of rot in the system.”

Speaking on the theme of the conference, “The Role of Public Analysts in Tackling the Challenge of Climate Change for Food Security” , Olugbenga said that steady unhealthy enviromental practices like flooding and deforestation had depleted the natural resources and destroyed forests.

He also urged stakeholders to in the sector on the need to increase public awareness on issues of biodiversity loss inroder to protect the environment for healthier existence.
According to the SOTLAN President, the Chief Host of the 3-day event is Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun who will be assisted by the Commissioner for Environment Ogun State, Mr. Ola Oresanya.