The Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University, Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, has said that the Institution is engaging in programmes that mirror the school’s values, ahead of the climate summit to be hosted by the university. “We are engaging in programmes that will make us reflect our values”, Prof. Omenugha said during a press briefing which was held at the Vice-Chancellor’s conference room of the university, on Tuesday. Since resumption, Prof. Kate Omenugha has continued her campaign of value, viability, and visibility for the university and this programme on climate action finds expression in her drive for a viable teaching and learning environment; one that is sustainable, the Vice-Chancellor said.
Addressing the media on a series of climate change actions the Institution has developed through a Committee set up for that purpose, the Vice-Chancellor said that one of the things that she first noticed when she resumed about seven months ago, was the adverse impact of wind on building roofs in the University campus. “One of the first things that hit me was our rooftops. Each time it rains, our rooftops are blown away. So I thought about how we are going to provide a solution to that,” she said. It was this that gave rise to the Committee on Tree Planting and Climate Change Action, for the university. The Chairman of the Tree Planting and Climate Change Action, Prof. K.K. Nwazor was given a mandate to come up with a five-year environmental action and roadmap for a sustainable environment for the university. Accordingly, the committee has developed a five-year environmental action design which will be unveiled on 17th July, when the university hosts a national campaign and summit on climate change action. Part of the things expected during and after the summit, the Vice-Chancellor revealed, is tree planting, and climate change institute, among others. “The summit is community-driven. We have done the mapping out. We are looking at ornamental trees, economic trees, and buffers to stop the wind. We are thinking of trees that can earn us carbon credit over time. We are thinking of trees that are gradually fading. We are thinking of gardens. We are going to set up an Institute for Climate Change Action”, Prof. Kate Omenugha assured. She also revealed that in the Teaching Hospital campus of the University in Awka, a gradual transition to green energy has commenced with the installation of Solar.
The Climate summit slated for 17th July 2024 at the university campus is designed with a series of events which the Vice-Chancellor noted are expected to form part of the new culture at the university. “We are positioning the university as that which prides on values”, Prof. Omenugha reiterated. While thanking members of the Climate Action Committee, the Vice-Chancellor also said that the summit and climate action of the university are in line with Governor Soludo’s promise of a livable and prosperous homeland.
For the upcoming summit, Prof. Omenugha said that the university has received massive support from staff and students of the university, and from several relevant government agencies. “We asked for partnership from a whole lot of people and we have huge support,” she announced. According to the Vice-Chancellor, the governor has donated 100, 000 palm trees, the Nigeria Conservation Foundation is a partner in the project with Dr. Joseph Onoja, the DG of the Foundation, coming to deliver the keynote speech on July 17th. Other sponsors and supporters of the programme are; the Nigerian Meteorological Agency- NiMET, Tiger Food, and Professor Obikeze of the university who has donated 100 trees. Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Commissioner for Agric, Commissioner for Budget, an alumnus of the university has pledged to donate 200 trees.
Early preparation for the summit will commence with the visit by Cardinal Francis Arinze on Thursday and the planting of a tree in front of the administrative building of the university. This will be followed in the coming week by a road show for awareness creation on climate change action.
Reacting, the Deputy Chairman of the Climate Action Committee, Prof. Celestine Ugwumba, thanked the Vice-Chancellor for all the support that has made it possible for them to deliver on their mandate on time. In attendance during the media briefing are the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration and Academics of the University, members of the Climate Change Action Committee, and Dr. Harrison Madubueze, the University’s PRO.
Ebuka graduated with a second-class upper-division degree in Political Science from the University of Calabar in Nigeria. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master's Degree in Political Science with a specialization in Government and Development Studies from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Nigeria. His academic background and professional experience have equipped him with a deep understanding of political dynamics and governance issues.
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