Plant trees to protect environment, LASUED VC urges staff, students

The vice chancellor, Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Ojo/Ijanikin, Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye, has stressed the importance of tree-planting in our lives to protect the environment.

Prof. Lafiaji-Okuneye made the observation at the 2024 Lagos State Annual Tree Planting Ceremony held at the main campus in Oto as part of the state government’s campaign to ensure a sustainable environment.

The 2024 tree-planting exercise attracted principal officers of LASUED, the acting Deputy VC, Registrar, Mr. Opeoluwa Akinfemiwa, Bursar, Mr. Ganiu Adeniyi, chairman, Ceremonies Committee, Dr. Aderonke Ogini, staff and students of the university.

Lafiaji-Okuneye, who was represented at the tree-planting exercise by the Deputy VC, Dr. Morufu Adedayo, tasked staff and students of the institution to engage in tree-planting both on campus and at home in line with the state government’s quest to promote the campaign.

She implored the staff and students to be part of the campaign by planting a tree, nurturing it and ensuring that it survives.

“By this singular act, you would be recognized as someone who has not only contributed immensely to the survival of the present generation but also participated significantly in the ambition to create a sustainable future generations of Lagosians, and the human race in general,” she noted.

The VC described trees as essential to ecosystems, controlling climate by moderating sun, rain and wind, absorbing and storing rainwater, which prevents the transport of chemicals into drinkable water.

According to her, trees also create an aesthetic environment and improve the quality of life by bringing natural elements and wildlife habitats into urban settings.

She said the exercise was an innovative practice of building an environmental legacy aimed at making tree-planting and recreation a vital component of urban life.

Lafiaji-Okuneye said LASUED has keyed into the culture of tree planting 16 years ago when the campaign was launched in the state and urged that efforts be made to replicate the exercise in the universities.

“We strongly believe that internalizing the practice could probably be our own way of responding to the United Nation’s call, urging tertiary educational institutions to be catalysers of sustainability of the plant earth.”

She stressed that the campaign should reverberate across the two campuses of the university in Oto/Ijanikin and Epe.

A 300 level (NCE) student in the Agricultural Department, Akinyele Stephen demonstrated the techniques of tree planting.

The highlight of exercise whose theme is: “Nourish our Future” was the planting of trees by LASUED principal officers.