By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) on Wednesday, 17th July 2024, held her first Climate Action Summit with a call on all to imbibe the spirit of planting and nurturing trees and as well ensure they protect it from being cut down without immediate and adequate replacement.
In her welcome speech, the Acting Vice Chancellor of COOU, Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, extolled Governor Soludo for ‘his numerous initiatives geared towards sustaining the environment’.
Omenugha, while appreciating the Governor, unveiled the five-year plan of planting of 1 million trees in the University, even as she inaugurated an Environmental Task Force Team to be manned by students.
She noted that the Task Force team would be monitoring those that would cut down or shave any tree in the campus. The University Don said the inauguration was part of the action plan against climate change.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, called on Ndi Anambra and beyond to support every necessary action to save their environment.
The number one citizen of Anambra State, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, reiterated the Government’s ‘wonderful efforts towards building a livable, smart, clean, sustainable and prosperous Anambra State’.
He urged Ndi Anambra to key in and partner with the Government in their various initiatives for the sustainability of the environment.
It will be recalled that the Governor, immediately after his inauguration, marched through Okpoko, an urban slum, and ensured that all the canals, drainages, and uncleared refuse dump sites within the area were cleared.
‘The once scary landscape was renewed, transformed, and is now known as New Haven,’ he said.
‘The Government has also made significant strides in converting all the streetlights in the state to renewable energy, which were previously powered by diesel generators.
‘If we start today, if we start now, if we work closely with the State Government, at your department, your apartment, start from your home, from your room. When you drink bottled or sachet water, where do you dispose of it? In the classroom, as a student, teacher, or lecturer, what happens to your papers? How do you dispose of them? So in your room, your office, your classroom, have a waste bin or basket so that you don’t mess up our environment.
‘If we start today, it is not too late to take control and sustain our environment,’ the chief staff concluded.
For his part, the Anambra Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Felix Odimegwu, commended the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, for hosting the summit, noting that information gathered from the summit could help researchers who were making efforts on the best actions to be taken to improve the environment.
The occasion which was chaired by Comrade Peter Nwosu (NUPENG Oil and Gas) was attended by people from all walks of life, including former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu; Chairman of the University Governing Council, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu; member of the University Governing Council, His Royal Highness, Igwe Dr. Oranu Chris Chidume; High Chief Okeke Ogene; Ms. Chiamaka Nnake (Commissioner for Economic Planning); Mr. Christian Udechukwu (Commissioner for Industry); Barr. Ifeanya Anthony (Anambra State Commissioner for Petroleum); Prof. Phil Eze-Phil (ANSEWCCA); former MD/CEO, ABS, Dr Uche Nworah and Ms. Chinwe Okoli (SPAD on Innovation and Business Incubation), amongst others.
