ABU Tree Planting C’ttee holds symposium, tree planting campaign
Amidst the growing concern about climate change across the globe, the Tree Planting Committee of Ahmadu Bello University, has, in carrying out its mandate organised a symposium and tree planting campaign in commemoration of the 2024 World Environment Day with the theme; “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience,” held at the Assembly Hall, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.
In a remark, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, explained that globally there were challenges with environment across the globe characterized by desertification, flood, wild fires and several other natural disasters.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Prof. Raymond Bako, the Vice- Chancellor noted that the World Environmental Day is to reawaken the general public to the realities of time and the need to take action.
Prof. Bala expressed happiness that in this part of the world actions are been taken, stressing that in recognition of the important event globally, the University’s tree planting committee in collaboration with the University put hands together to celebrate the day.
In a paper presentation entitled “Restoring the Environment Through Resilience Building” the Lead Speaker, Prof. E. O. Iguisi of the Department of Geography and Environmental Management highlighted the dangers of cutting down trees which contribute in causing land degradation and erosion.
He explained that three quarter of the world population is expected to be affected by drought in 2050, thus there’s need to build resilient environment by doing things that protect the environment such as building and conservation of trees, avoiding killing of animals, and protecting as well as managing water reservoirs.
Prof. Iguisi charged government and other stakeholders to provide innovative ways of cooking, that will serve as alternatives for the use of trees as firewood, adding that laws such as National Policy of Environment (NPE) that will make the environment resilient against degradation and drought should be implemented.
He recommended that the prices of kerosine and cooking gas should be reduced and solar energy be maximized as alternatives to firewoods.
Prof. Iguisi described restoring the environment as a collective responsibility by changing attitude towards the environment through avoiding the use of chemicals to remove weeds in compounds, causing death of birds and other small animals, avoiding cutting down of trees and ensuring the monitoring and implementation of environmental laws by the relevant authorities.
Religious clerics at the event highlighted the importance of planting trees and the reward both Islam and Christianity attached to the preservation of nature.
Thereafter, participants were conveyed to the field to plant various species of trees.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Thursday, 15th August, 2024
