AE-FUNAI Establishes Green Village

The Directorate of Campus-Green Initiative, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State has established a Green Village to preserve and promote the cultural and environmental heritage in the University.

This is even as the Directorate has vowed to plant 5,000 trees before the end of 2023, to mark the establishment of the Village.

Myschoolnews reports Acting Director, Campus- Green Initiative, Arc. Ifeanyi N. Chukwu made this known on 6th July 2023, during the AE-FUNAI 2023 Green Day celebration.

He noted that between 2016 – 2018, over 4,000 trees were planted in the University and in 2019; a target of planting 20,000 trees was equally achieved. He explained that the motive was to keep afloat the dream of making the university a Campus-in-a-Garden, and one of the most beautiful University campuses in Nigeria.

The Director highlighted the benefits of tree planting to include combating desertification, drought, and global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide, removing and storing carbon and releasing oxygen back into the air, as well as providing a conducive eco-friendly and beautiful environment.

Continuing, Arc. Chukwu noted that in pursuant of the continuation and consolidation of the Vice-Chancellor’s vision of establishing a farm of fast growing timber trees of 5,000 before the end of his tenure, a total of 2,000 trees were planted last year, stressing that hopefully, 3,000 will be planted at the designated areas of the university before the end of this year.

He further stressed the importance of building a Green Village in the University, noting that it will create a very beautiful blend between the centre and the good forest within the campus, serve as an administrative hub of the green activities within the campus and to the society in terms of community service, serve as a data centre for teaching and research as well as be a source of IGR for the University through tourism.

He therefore, called for the support and collaboration of individuals and groups, NGOs and government agencies in the establishment, running and promotion of the Green Village to make it viable and sustainable.

Declaring the event open, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Elom stated that his administration is committed to making the university a Campus- in-a-Garden, adding that tree planting should be viewed with seriousness as it remains the cornerstone of preserving the campus from environmental degradation, adding that green signifies nature, fertility and prosperity.

The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Romanus Ejiaga asserts that tree planting does not only conserve the environment but also sustains life and enhances peace and love towards nature, stressing that when we plant trees, we plant seed of peace and hope.

He maintained that the more trees we plant around us, the more we grow our hope for the future, as tree reminds us of nature and the importance of climate and environmental protection. He therefore called for the addition of ‘Campus Clean-up’ in the celebration of Green Days, where students will be mobilized for a couple of hours to keep the campus clean and safe.

Highlights of the event was induction of new members into the Green-Campus Initiative Club, cutting of the AE-FUNAI Green Day cake, performance by students of the Theatre Art Department, cutting of ribbon for the establishment of AE-FUNAI Green Village and official kick-off of the 2023 tree planting campaign by the Vice-Chancellor.