Anambra State-owned Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University – COOU, has joined the league of institutions and organizations campaigning for global action against climate change. The Vice Chancellor – VC, of the University, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, on Wednesday during the summit on tree planting climate action at the university, unveiled a five-year grand climate action by the institution. This includes planting at least one million trees in the university, to contain global warming and earn carbon credit. The summit which climaxed with a lecture by Dr. Joseph Onoja, the keynote speaker, also received commendations and assurance of further collaboration from the Nigerian Conservative Foundation, Nigeria Metrological Agency -NiMET, and Nigeria Institute of Public Relations -NIPR, among others.
The well-attended summit received support from the Nigerian Conservative Foundation, NiMET, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations –NIPR, Climate Action Africa, and Anambra State Ministry of Environment, among other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the Government of Anambra State. Private individuals and organizations also supported and pledged various support to the plan of the university to contain climate change.
In his opening remark, the chairman of the climate action committee of the university, Prof. K. K. Nwozor, said that the committee aligned with the vision of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kate Omenugha, to address the university’s climate change challenge. “Madam VC came with a vision to solve a problem. She brought a caterpillar engine into the university. So, what we are doing here is to ignite the engine essentially. If you look around, many of our roofs are bad because of terrible wind. Even farmers around the community are complaining. But the VC has said that we must take back the ecosystem. We are here because we are believers in that journey and together, we shall win back the soul of the environment”, Prof. Nwozor said.
Earlier, in a press briefing with partners of the university in this climate action project, which was anchored by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Harrison Madubueze, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kate Omenugha thanked Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, a member of the University Governing Council joined the brief and eventually stayed through the end of the summit. The VC also thanked the school management team, entire staff, and students of the university for their support, while expressing confidence in the future of the university through joint effort. “Let me start by saluting Iyom (Amb. Bianca Ojukwu) our Council member. She is here in solidarity and love. All our friends who are here, I won’t forget your sacrifice. We won’t forget. Together, we are going to get this university to unimaginable heights.” Also, in the Vice Chancellor’s opening remark at the summit ground, she commenced by appreciating the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, members of the Council present, including Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, Igwe Omor, Dr. Oranu Chris Chidume, and Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, Chairman of the Council. She equally thanked supporters and sponsors of the project, declaring that a livable and prosperous Anambra is possible, even as she pledged commitment to the work and walk it requires.
The summit under the distinguished chairmanship of Hon. Peter Nwosu, then commenced with remarks by various stakeholders and partners with the university in the project, after the breaking of kola by Igwe Ogidi, Pharm. Alex Onyido. Mr. Izuchukwu Mojekwu of Climate Action Africa observed that it’s important that everybody joins hands with COOU in this climate action. The Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Felix Odimegwu, PhD, said that they are fully committed to the initiative. The DG of NiMET, Prof. Charles Anosike was represented by Chief Uche Nwora, PhD, his Special Adviser on special duties, and also Gloria Onyegbule, who assured that NiMET is already working with COOU to give the institution a weather station. “What Prof. Kate Omenugha is doing today is preparing the community for the future”, Mrs. Onyegbula said in her remarks. On his part, the Director of Anambra State ICT Agency Chukwuemeka Agbata, held that AI is a major tool to combat climate change and should be embraced. Hon. Ejike Okechukwu, Hon. Jude Ngobili, and Hon. Emma Okaplaeke, all serving members of the Anambra State House of Assembly, were in attendance. More commissioners who attended include Christian Udechukwu, Anambra State Commissioner for Industry, Don Onyenji, Commissioner for Culture/Tourism, Chika Anara, Commissioner for Homeland Security, and Tony Ifeanya, Commissioner for Petroleum.
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi. In his speech, he assured that the government is committed to climate action by gradually transitioning to renewable energy sources. “We are bringing the climate conversation home”, he assured. Meanwhile, the National President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku stressed his organization’s support. “NIPR strongly supports what Prof. Kate Omenugha is doing. We know her, we believe in her. She is a board member of NIPR. We are proud of her.” Dr. Neliaku then declared that NIPR will support COOU in two ways; first, by instituting a prize for the best graduating student in Mass Communication in the university, who will also be given automatic employment, and secondly by initiating climate change communication with COOU.
In his well-delivered guest lecture, Dr. Joseph Onoja, the Director of the Nigerian Conservative Foundation, emphasized that conversation about our environment is actually about human beings. “When we talk about environmental conservation, we are talking about human conservation. When we temper with nature to develop economically, the profit we make is usually plunged back into the environment,” Dr. Onoja said. He advocated that COOU should find a green area within the university and further asked the government of Anambra State to do the same in its efforts to combat its environmental challenges. Dr. Onoja also pledged that COOU will receive between five thousand and ten thousand trees from the Nigerian Conservative Foundation yearly within the next five years.
The panel discussion was anchored by Ify Aronu-Okafor, and panelists included; Chiamaka Nnake, Anambra State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Dr. Felix Odimegwu, Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Prof. Philip Eze, the Director of NEWMAP Anambra State, Izuchukwu Mojekwu, Chinwe Okoli and Chinedu Oguegbu of OMAA Motors. The university climate Ambassadors and Climate Police for the campuses were also inaugurated.
He is a Technical Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano’s Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, whoonce was a Special Adviser to a former Deputy Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly. Ebuka is a second class upper division graduate of Political Science from University of Calabar, Calabar Nigeria and holds a Masters Degree in Political Science with specialization in Government and Development Studies, from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria
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