In pursuit of green economy and in an 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 led by the Acting Vice Challencellor of the University, Professor Kate 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 pre-event sensitization road walk which had in attendance about three thousand management staffs and students of the university took place yesterday in Awka, the Anambra State Capital.
Speaking shortly after the exercise, the Acting Vice Challencellor of Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) Igbariam, Professor Omenugha while applauding the staff 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 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 change, noting that their institution is a green university, hence reason for the theme of the Summit titled, “Tree-mendous Strategy for a Sustainable Future,” to stimulate tree planting efforts to boost climate change and make Anambra green, clean, livable and prosperous State in Nigeria.
She pointed out that Nigeria like other countries of the world is seriously affected by climate change and other environmental challenges which affects food security, access to energy and employment, among others and made it clear that the tree planting initiative is expected to beautify the university campus and contribute to a healthier environment by absorbing carbon dioxide, improving air quality, providing natural shade, promoting 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 one hundred thousand 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.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the COOU five-year Strategic Plan for Tree Planting Committee, Professor Kingsley Nwozor stated that the essence of the tree planting move is to deliberately reclaim the land, stressing that the ongoing work on the major roads is to ensure people can walk to any part of the school without sun touching on them under the natural tree canopies and revealed that the University is already beautifying eight point seven kilometer path of the institution 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.
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, stressing that the July 17th Summit is aimed at making COOU an environmentally clean, green and habitable institution and emphasized the need for everybody to plant tree.
The Vice Chancellor’s Climate Change Dance competition won by a student of the institution, Miss Precious Amarachi climaxed the show.
Comments are closed for this post.