The Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike MOUAU, Professor Maduebibisi Ofor Iwe has charged everyone to respect the environment and all the creatures in it.
Professor Iwe dropped the charge while deliverying his speech at Pius Anyim Auditorium to mark the 2024 World Environment Day on the theme “Land Restoration, desertification and drought resilience”. He promised that the management would ensure the University environment is protected, stressing that advanced countries do not tolerate those desecrating the environment. He also emphasized the need for the University workers and students to use the walkways.
The VC who led the University management, lecturers, Abia State government officials, students as well as other people to plant trees inside the University, said the trees would serve as food and help protect the environment.
Also speaking, the dean college of natural resources and environmental management, Professor Princwill Ogbonna called for the protection of the environment by avoiding deforestation which reduces the quality of the soil. Professor Ogbonna noted that calling of trees have exposed man to danger, leading to drought and desertification.
Abia State commissioner for environment, Mr Philemon Ogbonna said to further protect the environment, the government under the leadership of Dr. Alex Otti, has continued to ensure that erosion challenges in the State are adequately tackled and has embarked on erosion mitigation programmes and measures to deal with the menace.
He added that , it is essential to appreciate the interconnectedness between all living beings and the environment, as each individual plays a vital role in nurturing and protecting the planet by making conscious decisions in our daily lives, supporting environmentally friendly practices, and advocating policies that prioritise sustainability, we can contribute to a healthier and more resilient world for future generations.
He pointed out that the sad truth however, is that our dependence on land and the entire ecosystem comes at a huge cost which has to do with the enormous pressure from human activities. “Restoring the ecosystems therefore, means more than planting trees; It involves reviving the natural processes and relationships that sustain life”.
Ogbonna said, “as we commemorate the World Environment Day, it is essential to appreciate the interconnectedness between all living beings and the environment.
The event had lectures from Abia State commissioner for agriculture, Professor Monica Ironkwe who spoke on the effects of climate change and another lecture, delivered by Mr Nwogu Kingsley Obi, Abia State field officer national environmental standards and regulatory agency (NESREA). Mr Obi disclosed that desertification is caused by over farming, while drought is caused by natural phenomena.
He added that quest for charcoal where people cut down trees and also urbanization as the causes of desertification. According to him, the natural ways of controlling pesticides remain the best.
On her recommendation, Professor Ironkwe made a case for irrigattion to enable the farmers enjoy all round farming.
Highpoints of the program were lectures, tree planting and panel discussion led by the chairperson of the University 2024 World Environment Day, Dr Lady Eberechi Osuagwu. Dr Osuagwu said the event afford them the opportunity to proffer solutions to environmental challenges.
A soil scientist, Professor E.O Asawalam advised that the land should be tempered with when necessary. He encouraged people to use organic manures which he affirmed helps the micro organisms. However, Dr. Uchechi Bliss Onyedikachi, Biochemistry department, COLNAS also advocates for collaboration with other organizations to ensure sustainability of events like the celebration of world environment day to help sustain research works done on the environment.
