Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, in collaboration with Nigerian
Conservation Foundation, Lagos, has commenced afforestation project
aimed at reclaiming and improving the biodiversity status of the
institution and transforming it into a resource base for teaching,
research and ecotourism.
The Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor
Charles Esimone, performed the symbolic take off of the project at the
project site.
Education correspondent Theophilus Ukoha reports that Professor
Esimone who had earlier signed a memorandum of understanding with the
Nigerian Conservation Foundation Lagos, said the institution is
endowed with natural forest as well as seasonal and perennial streams.
The Vice Chancellor said the collaboration with the Nigerian
Conservation Foundation will assist in providing sustainable
utilization of the natural resources in the areas of ecotourism and
environmental education and possible partnership with Anambra State on
sustainable natural resource conservation and environmental education.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation Dr
Muhtari Aminu Kano, represented by Director Technical Programmes of
the foundation, Dr Joseph Onoja, said the collaboration with the
Nnamdi Azikiwe University will enhance the landscape aesthetics and
watershed conservation, restore degraded forest areas that will serve
as a base for massive tree planting exercise and environmental
education.
He pledged the foundation’s readiness to provide over two thousand
seedlings and required ingredients for planting and growing trees.
In an interview Professor Peter Nnabude of the Department of Soil
Science and Land Research Management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University
said a preliminary survey conducted shows that there is need for the
afforestation and natural conservation project saying that the natural
conservation areas covers about sixty two hectares.
Others who spoke during the event including, Mr Joshua Dazi Project
Co-ordinator Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Dr Stanley Ilechukwu,
Executive Director South Sahara Social Development Organization, said
they are poised to monitor the sustainability of the afforestation
project.
Comments are closed for this post.