By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
As part of activities lined up for Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU)’s Tree Planting and Climate Action Summit, the Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze, on Thursday, 4th July, 2024, at the Administrative Block of the Varsity, planted what the acting Vice Chancellor of the Citadel of Learning, Prof Mrs Kate Omenugha, described as a Papal Tree.
The Keynote Speaker for the Climate Change Summit and Tree Planting Awareness Campaign billed to hold on the 17th of July, 2024, is the Director General of Nigeria Conservation Foundation, Dr Joseph Onoja.
The event, according to the Acting Vice Chancellor, would take place at the Igbariam Campus of the University, with the theme, “Trees Mendous Strategy for a sustainable future”.
Speaking on the significance of the event the acting Vice Chancellor said they were ready to begin the journey of planting one million trees across the citadel of learning, saying that the essence of the exercise was not just for beautification of COOU, but a way of safeguarding the mother earth, generation of funds from the economic trees, as well as saving the students, Management and staff from exposing themselves to harsh weather occasioned by the scorching sun.
She said they would during the Summit launch COOU’s 5-Year Strategic Roadmap for Tree Planting and Climate Action, 2024-2029, and which would be closely followed by the commencement of the ambitious tree planting exercise to plant 1 million trees in COOU in the next 5 years.
The Professor of Mass Communication announced that the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, had donated 100,000 palm trees to the University as a way of encouraging and fostering an eco-friendly environment in the institution, saying that the gesture that happened to be the first of its kind since the inception of the University was part of the governor’s vision of making Anambra a clean, green, livable and prosperous state in Nigeria.
The university don said the tree planting would be officially unveiled by Cardinal Francis Arinze on Thursday at the Administrative block of the University.
According to her, the COOU under her administrative agenda of Value, Viability and Visibility was committed to creating sustainable, responsible and actionable step toward a green, healthier and eco-friendly environment at Igbariam and Uli campuses respectively.
‘Our beloved COOU is taking a bold step towards a sustainable future with an insightful Climate Change Summit and exciting tree planting exercise planned for July 2024.
‘The Policy Analysis and Research Congress invites you to listen to our specially crafted jingle celebrating this vital sustainability milestone through a Climate Action Activity and the role of trees in our ecosystem.
‘This will takeoff with a Climate Action Summit for impactful presentations and discussions on the environment, as well as the launch of the COOU 5-Year Strategic Roadmap for Tree Planting and Climate Action, 2024-2029, and will be closely followed by the commencement of the ambitious tree planting exercise to plant 1 million trees in COOU in the next 5 years.
‘Let us plant today for a greener world tomorrow, thereby making COOU, Anambra, Nigeria, and our planet, greener, healthier and more beautiful.
‘Every tree planted is a step towards a brighter future. Let us unite in this noble cause and spread the word – one tree at a time!
‘Soludo has donated over 100,000 trees to the University aimed at enhancing a greener, cleaner and healthier environment in the school environment.
‘The tree-planting project will nurture a healthy living environment for staff, students and the entire University community in general.
‘The initiative to plant trees is a new endeavour for the University. The institution is fully prepared to partner with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and several other stakeholders in both private and government establishments in ensuring that there is an apparent increase in school tree planting, with the intent of sequestering carbon and reversing climate change,’ Omenugha said.
The Acting VC encouraged the University community to align with the initiative, stressing that urban forest was a long-term endeavour that required sustained commitment and support by the community.
She noted that the exercise would provide “one tree, one staff, one tree, one student”, and that a total of one million trees had been mapped out for the project.
She also announced that the University was partnering with NiMet and other environmental stakeholders to achieve the set goal.
