RELEVANCE OF BIOCHEMISTRY IN RAW MATERIALS RESEARCH

AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (RMRDC).

BY
OKPOKPO, EMMANUEL .O

INTRODUCTION
The knowledge of the roles of biochemistry and biochemists will go a long
way in defining the input that can be made to help pursue the vision and
fulfill the mission of RMRDC.
Biochemistry cuts across virtually all facets of life, as it has to do with the
study of every living thing. Biochemistry studies the nature of chemical
components of living matter and the chemical substances produced by
living things (plants and animals). It studies the molecular basis of life.
The following are areas where biochemistry functions;

Nutrition
Pharmaceutical/ Clinical/ Public health
Agriculture
Food and brewing industries
Medicine, etc.

SUMMARY OF INTERESTS, VISION AND MISSION OF RMRDC

The RMRDC is a body under the federal ministry of science and technology
and is envisioned at being an indispensable catalyst for industrial growth
and development in Nigeria, aiming at promoting the development and the
proper use of the nations raw materials/natural resources, for the growth of
various sectors of the nations industry.
To achieve her aim, and vision, the council has been divided into
departments and sub-divided into divisions all in conjunction to see to the
development of the nations industrial sector. There are five basic
departments in RMRDC, and 50% or more of these departments require
the knowledge of biochemistry and consequently, biochemists.
With the vision of being an indispensable catalyst for industrial growth and
development in Nigeria, using the nations raw materials, the council
embarks on various research projects on the various raw materials and
natural resources available for exploration and use both within and around

the country. Studies of these raw materials cut across their use in
agriculture, food industries, pharmaceutical industries etc.
Having established a basis by which the council runs, I move ahead to
show the relevance of biochemistry and biochemists in bringing the
councils mission and vision to actualization.

RELATING
THE
PLACE/WORK
OF
BIOCHEMISTS TO THE VISION OF RMRDC.

BIOCHEMISTRY,

AND

Knowing that RMRDC is set to bring about development in the countrys

industry, we examine a few industries and establish the roles biochemists
could play.
- IN FOOD AND BREWING INDUSTRY: Biochemists can carry out
analysis on raw materials used in these industries so as to examine
the nutritive value and chemical contents of the materials, and also to
know how to come about new products through enhancing and
supplementing existing ones that are consumer friendly.
- PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES:
Biochemists
are
active
contributors in these industries, in soap making, health products, etc.
they can also help in carrying out necessary experiments on raw
materials for production of health and beauty consumer goods. They
also help in monitoring, and controlling the quality of existing
products.
- IN AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT:
Biochemists can help
in improving the yield of raw materials (crops and livestock)
produced, and also bring about innovations, and new breeds or
species of these raw materials through the knowledge and application
of genetics. In the environment, water is a natural resource but needs
to be made portable i.e. free from contamination. Biochemists play
roles in making this possible.

RELATING BIOCHEMISTRY TO THE DEPARTMENT AND DIVISION OF

POSTING (ICMD AD MD RESPECTIVELY).
ICMD one of the five departments created to drive the vision and fulfill the
mission of the council is aimed at developing raw materials and
technologies for chemical and pharmaceutical industries as well as to add
value to non-metallic and metallic minerals for industrial use and also to
generate and disseminate information to promote their optimal local
sourcing, utilization and investment.
Biochemists as scientists can dig deep into basic ideas of materials,
minerals and other resources so as to meet the needs of humanity by
coming up with hypothesis and then results that aid technological
advancement which will in turn boost the industries. Biochemists as trained
chemists though specialized in biological environments can help the
mineral division in determining the various reactions of these minerals, both
metallic and non-metallic and their usefulness in various areas of
industries.
Finally, biochemists as researches can decide to share knowledge and
educate the public through seminars and symposiums on information
gathered from the various studies carried out on the development and
utilization of mineral raw materials. This will encourage the development of
industries as it will create opportunities for investors and individual
entrepreneurs.