By Ndife David, Awka.
In pursuit of green economy and in a desperate attempt to advance the cause of a livable and prosperous society being envisioned by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, the management of Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) Igbariam ably led by the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha has organized a road walk ahead of the tree planting, climate change summit scheduled to hold on the 17th of July, 2024 at Igbariam Campus of the University.
The
16km pre-event sensitization road road which had in attendance about 3000
management staffs and students of the university took place yesterday in Awka,
the Anambra State Capital.
Speaking shortly after the exercise, the Acting Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) Igbariam, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha while applauding the staffs and students for turning out in their numbers stated that the essence of road show is to sensitize the public on the institution’s scheduled maiden One million Tree planting and Climate Action aimed at promoting environmental sustainability.
According
to her, the show is a vehement display of the university's commitment to environmental
consciousness and also to tell the world that the COOU is an institution to
reckon with in the fight against climate, hence reason for the theme of the
Summit titled, “Tree-mendous Strategy for a Sustainable Future ,” to publicly
demonstrate the institution's position as a green university.
She
pointed out that Nigeria like other countries of the world is seriously
affected by climate change and other environmental challenges which effects is
most felt on food security, access to energy and high unemployment, among
others also made it clear that the tree planting initiative is expected to
beautify the university campus and contribute to a healthier environment around
the University Community by improving air quality, providing natural shade,
promoting the green economy and advancing climate literacy.
While appreciating Governor Chukwuma Soludo for encouraging the efforts of COOU to take back the environment through the donation of 100,000 palm trees to the institution to foster eco-friendly environment in the varsity, the Vice Chancellor pointed out that through the “One Staff – One Tree, One Student – One Tree” initiative every staff and students of the institution will play an active role in rescuing the threatened environment through pro-active tree planting climate action.
Prof
Omenugha further stressed on the need for an enhanced stakeholders
collaboration in advancing a sustainable and healthy living environment for
socio-economic development and called on other state governors to emulate
governor Chukwuma Soludo's leadership style.
Also
speaking, the Chairman of the COOU 5-year Strategic Plan for Tree Planting
Committee, Prof. Kingsley Nwozor stated that the essence of the tree planting
move is to deliberately reclaim the land, and revealed that the University is
already beautifying a 8.7 km pathway with economic trees such as mango, cashew,
guava to provide canopies and also serve as wind breakers to checkmate weather
conditions on the university infrastructure.
He also
revealed the university's commitment in partnering with Anambra State Ministry
of Culture and Tourism in replacing tourist trees to attract more visitors into
the state and also encourage natural food consumption through the setting up of
organic markets within the university communities by planting over 700 trees to
make up the Vice Chancellor's orchard.
Earlier,
the chairman of the July 17th Tree Planting and Climate Change Summit, Comrade
Peter Nwosu stated that the highly anticipated tree- planting programme is
unprecedented in the annals of the institution’s greenery initiatives, noting
that the Summit will help make COOU an environmentally clean, green and
habitable institution, emphasizing the need for everybody to plant a tree. He
thanked Governor Soludo for donating the economy trees for sustainable growth
and development in the university and the entire state at large.
The
Vice Chancellor’s Climate Change Dance competition was won by a student of the
institution, Miss Precious Amarachi climaxed the show.
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