By Chukwuka Ugokwe :
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University (COOU, Professor Kate Omenugha,has led no fewer than 3000 members of the Management, Staff and Students of the institution on a 16-km road show walk in Awka.
The road show, she noted, is a pre-event sensitization on the forthcoming Tree Planting and Climate Action Summit to make a statement to the world .
“We at COOU are environment- conscience and keen on creating awareness on the institution’s scheduled One million Tree planting and Climate Action” billed to hold in the Igbariam Campus of the institution.
Leading the tree planting and climate change, the Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation of Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments in the Vatican City, Rome, Francis Cardinal Arinze planted the Papal Tree of Faith in front of its Administrative Block.
Addressing the participants shortly after the weekend’s road show, the COOU’s Vice Chancellor observed that the tree planting is to tell the world that “COOU is eco-friendly,” hence the move to plant one million trees at the institution to combat climate change, both of which can collectively create a lasting positive impact on the environment.
She hinted that the Summit will witness the multi-pronged unveiling of the COOU Five-year Strategic Plan for Tree Planting and Climate Action and Dialogue on Climate Change Mitigation Strategies being powered through the university’s One Staff – One Tree, One Student – One Tree Campaign and collaborative partnerships.
Omenugha pointed out that essence of unveiling the maiden Tree Planting and Climate Action Summit is to promote environmental sustainability and advance the cause of a livable and prosperous society being envisioned by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
The Vice Chancellor said further that the 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 the green economy and advancing climate literacy.
According to her, the theme of the Summit entitled, “Tree-mendous Strategy for a Sustainable Future ,” is to stimulate tree planting efforts to boost climate change and make Anambra green, clean, livable and prosperous State in Nigeria.
Omenugha appreciated 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.
According to her, the Summit will witness the presence of resource persons including Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), renown Olympic Sprint Athlete, Mary Onyali, the University’s alumnus, environmental professionals and enthusiasts.
Contributing, a University Don, Mrs Juliana Iwuno observed that the high-stake tree- planting programme is unprecedented in the annals of the institution’s greenery initiatives , stressing that the July 27 Summit is aimed at making COOU an environmentally clean, green and habitable institution.
Iwuno who is a Lecturer in the Department of Public Administration, of COOU pointed out the takeaway from the tree planting exercise is the actualization of provision of natural tree canopy, appreciation of nature in stabilization and reduction of level of carbon dioxide in the air through process of photosynthesis by way of absorption of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which trees use and in turn release oxygen into the atmosphere which man breathes for live.
She hoped that the tree planting being championed presently will manifest in the greenery of the environment in the institution in the next five years.
She revealed: “Trees store carbon dioxide in the fibres and help to clean the air for man to breath, thereby reducing the adverse effects of carbon dioxide on the environment.”
Iwuno emphasized the need for everybody to plant tree, hailing the concept of “One Staff – One Tree, One Student – One Tree” which she noted tasks all and sundry to play an active role in rescuing the threatened environment through pro-active tree planting climate action.
Earlier, the Chairman of the COOU 5-year Strategic Plan for Tree Planting Committee, Prof. Kingsley Nwozor disclosed that the essence of the tree planting is to deliberately reclaim the land, stressing that the ongoing work on the roads ,major roads is to ensure people can walk to any part of the school without sun touching on them under the natural tree canopies
“We have 8.7 km that we are doing with economic trees, we are doing mango, cashew, guava etc and these trees not only provide canopies, but also serve as wind breakers to checkmate blowing away of infrastructures.
“Now we are doing Vice Chancellor’s Orchard where we will have 700 trees and it will come by faculty and departments before going back to their Orchards
” After all these, we will have what is called Organic Food Market where one can come and buy natural fruits and make money out of it.
“In pursuit of Green Economy, we have Green Access Programme in Town and Gown relationship to boost edible and botanical trees for environmental, green economy and eco-tourism in support of the communities in the 21 Local Government Areas of the State.
“Some trees are going out and we are replacing them, such as iroko; we are bringing them back so that the tourists will come and I want to see such trees and that is the area we are connecting with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Anambra State.
“We have a wide dimension of what we are doing at the end of the day we will calculate the carbon- sinking value .
“There. are some industries that can not do without carbon dioxide and we’re worning tkwards zero emission of harmful effects of industrial wastes.
“We need about 22 full-grown trees to remove one tons of carbon oxide, so imagine where you have 10, 000 full grown trees”
The highpoint of the event was the Vice Chancellor’s Climate Change Dance won by a student of the institution, Miss Precious Amarachi.