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From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
As part of activities marking the Diamond Anniversary of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the Anambra State Chapter of the Institute has organized a road walk exercise and also planted 60 trees in strategic parts of the state to mark the milestone anniversary.
In partnership with Anambra State Ministry of Environment, the team had a road walk within Awka metropolis before proceeding to Onitsha where trees were planted across strategic places along Port Harcourt Road, Fegge, Onitsha.
Chairperson of NIPR, Anambra State Chapter, Prof Angela Nwamuo said the tree planting exercise is in line with the directives of the National office of the NIPR led by Dr Ike Neliaku towards fostering a clean and green environment and a healthy ecosystem.
She said the programme was tagged “NIPR Nationwide Walk for Economic Transformation” as part of the month-long 60th anniversary of the Institute even as she noted that NIPR is embarking on a campaign for more tree planting instead of deforestation because of the importance of trees in the environment.
“NIPR Anambra state is joining the National in this special diamond anniversary celebration. Governor Chukwuma Soludo has started this clean and green initiative in Anambra and we decided to partner with the government through the Ministry of Environment in this unique initiative. By this tree planting exercise, our prayer is that we shall also continue to grow and blossom. May posterity bless us as we are helping Mother Nature in preserving our environment. We all can help in preserving our environment too to make it livable and conducive for habitation” she said.
NIPR Council Member and Acting Vice Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof Kate Omenugha who spoke during the walk said the Anambra NIPR has justified the confidence reposed on them as a branch of high esteem among other state branches.
Omenugha whose University will also be honoured among the awardees during the grand finale of the Diamond Anniversary in Abuja said the Anambra team will be fully represented during the epoch making event.
Former Council Member, Rev. Prof Boniface Obiefuna in a remark pointed out that NIPR as a professional body believes in government relations and in building bridges of relationship hence the essence of reaching out to Anambra State Government for collaboration. He expressed optimism that the relationship already established through the Ministry of Environment will be a stepping stone for closer ties with the state government under Gov. Soludo.
A Fellow of the Institute, Obini Onuchukwu lauded the leadership of the Anambra NIPR chapter for keying into the laudable initiative and the need for continuous actions geared towards a green environment which he said promotes healthy living and better climate condition for the people.
Earlier on, Commissioner for Environment, Anambra State, Felix Odimegwu disclosed that Onitsha has been delisted among the most polluted cities of the world because of the intentional programmes of the Soludo administration in ensuring a clean and green Anambra.
He commended the NIPR leadership in the state for initiating the collaboration and assured that such synergy will be sustained for the greater benefit of all in the state.
