A Professor of Business Administration at Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT has stressed the pivotal role of forensic science in maintaining discipline, enhancing confidence and integrity in international trade relations.

Delivering the 49th Inaugural Lecture of the University titled “Forensic Science and Global Trade: Enhancing Trade Turnover Through Scientific Integrity” at the capacity filled Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah Multi-Purpose Auditorium  ESUT, on Thursday, 31st August, Prof. Okonkwo, who is also the Director of ESUT Industrial Training Unit, ITU emphasized the critical role of forensic science in providing scientific frameworks for solving trade related issues at global level.

The Inaugural Lecturer identified some challenges which burden global market activities to include, regulatory violations, counterfeiting, cyber fraud, mis invoicing, intellectual property theft and the like, pointing out that forensic science methodologies have proven very invaluable in addressing these ugly international cankerworms.

According to him, forensic science application helps the global market to enjoy benefits ranging from product authentication, protection from intellectual property theft, counterfeit detection, supply chain integrity and trade security

Some of these forensic tools like Block chain analysis, Biometric verification, digital forensics and forensic auditing have been deployed effectively in enhancing trade relationship and cooperation.

While regretting the limitations of weak institutional enforcement and corruption inherent in developing economies, the lecturer advocated for heavy investment in advanced forensic technologies and the establishment of strong forensic regulatory collaborations etc as sure measures to strengthen and enhance global trade security and turnover.

Earlier in his address, the Vice Chancellor ESUT and Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie had called on the university eggheads to show strong commitment and relevance in their calls to duty.

He stressed the need for academics to distinguish themselves through continuous positive engagement and impact on the industry and the mentees and cautioned against unethical practices that could ruin their reputations.

The lecture was well attended by Principal officers of the university, colleagues, friends of the lecturer including the Auxiliary Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Enugu and a good number of members  of knights and ladies of Saint Mulumba, KSM.