Climate Change Summit: Cardinal Arinze leads tree planting exercise at Ojukwu Varsity

From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha*

Former Prefect, Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Vatican City Rome, Francis Cardinal Arinze will plant the first tree at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State to commemorate the Climate Change Summit of the University.

Also, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has donated one hundred thousand (100,000) palm trees to the University (COOU) to foster eco-friendly environment in the school premises.

Acting Vice Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State, Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha made these disclosures during a press conference held at the Varsity’s auditorium ahead of the forthcoming Climate Change Summit and Tree Planting Awareness Campaign organised by the university slated for July 17th, 2024.

Prof Omenugha said the gesture, 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.

According to her, the COOU under her administration’s agenda of Values, Viability and Visibility is committed to create sustainable, responsible, and actionable steps toward a green, healthier, and eco-friendly environment in 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 this month of 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 role of trees in our ecosystem.

“This will take off 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 in enhance a greener, cleaner, and healthier environment.in the school environment.The tree-planting project will nurture a healthy living environments for staff, students and the entire University community in general.

“The initiative to plant trees is a new endeavor to 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.

The Acting VC encouraged the university community to align with the initiative, stressing that urban forest is a long-term endeavour that requires sustained commitment and support by the community.

She noted that the exercise will provide “one tree, one staff, one tree, one student”. And that a total of one million trees has been mapped out for the project.

She also announced that the University is partnering with NiMet and other environmental stakeholders to achieve the set goals.

The keynote speaker of the event with the Theme; “Trees -Mendous Strategy for a sustainable future”, is Dr. Joseph Onoja, the Director General, Nigeria Conservation Foundation.