Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Anambra state, and Nigeria Conversation Foundation (NCF). on Wednesday, signed an agreement for the preservation of environmental and forest.
After the signing, both institutions flagged off the planting of 10,000 trees in the university.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, said the partnership would help the institution to preserve its natural forest and environment.
According to him, the partnership will ensure that university safe guide the environment from encroachment.
He said because of ignorance, people have destroyed the natural forest by felling most of trees and killing many animals.
“Several forest that have been deforested and bastardized are being restored by the university. Immediately, I assumed office as a Vice Chancellor, I set up office to preserve our forest because many have been lost. We are educating people on why we must conserve our forest. We are looking at how the remaining forest in the university can be protected. We want NCF to assist us. We also want to have a zoo at our natural forest in the university” he stated.
He also appealed to the NCF to strengthen the institution’s forest guide in order not to mess up with what had been achieved.
According to him, the university forest guides are trained but do not have the wherewithal to fight the invasionists because they do not bear guns.
He said those that invade the forest normally come with guns and other dangerous weapons.
Speaking also, Director-General of NCF, Dr. Joseph Onoja, said the organization has been involved in work that deals with preservation of environment and forest in the country.
“We are looking for willing partner and after this, we will look for money to assist. In our 40 years of our existence, we have discovered that most Nigeria forest have been depleted. Before now, we have 60 percent of forest but today is about seven percent. When we saw the willngness of the VC and the management to preserve environment, we went into action to assist” he said.
He also assured that the organisation would do all within its reach to ensure that zoological guardian of university is established as requested by the Vice Chancellor.
“We are ready to partner with the University to ensure that environment is preserved and protected ” he added.
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