...Seeks Gov't Partnership to float School of Agriculture, Control Erosion Menace
By Uzo
Ugwunze
The Acting Rector Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr Uche Onyegbu has called on Africans to stop indiscriminate felling of trees saying that it impacts negatively on the soil.
He also
called on the Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture for partnership
between his ministry and Federal Polytechnic Oko in establishing a School of
Agriculture and also assist in checkmating erosion through the planting of
trees at the Ufuma and Atani campuses.
Dr
Onyegbu made the call during the flag off of Operation Go Green Planting of
Palm trees and other Economic trees Project at the Fedpoly Oko Extension site,
Orumba North Local Government Area.
Presenting
his address, Onyegbu said that tree planting helps to conserve the soil and
checkmate erosion adding that it also generates great economic revenue and
accord aesthetic values to the environment.
"Trees
are very important in keeping the ecosystem's oxygen and carbon dioxide levels
in check through the process of photosynthesis. Moreover the economic values of
the palm and coconut trees are monumental.
"Establishment
of a School Agriculture will also create job opportunities for our youths as
soon as they come out of school to engage several parts of agriculture and its
value chain.
"I
appreciate the former Member National Board for Technology Incubation, Engr
Cletus Amaraegbu who pioneered this Go Green project and attracted the improved
seedlings that are being planted in the polytechnic.I also appreciate the Face
of the Go Green Project our veteran Nollywood Actor, Chief Stephen
Eboh,"said Onyegbu.
Performing
the symbolic tree planting exercise, Commissioner For Agriculture, Dr Forster
Ihejiofor who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka
said that the project would help regulate the climate and ensure ecosystem
stability, healthy environment as a panacea to global warming and generate
revenue.
"Every
student of the school should have one tree planted. This campaign should also be
taken to homes and other institutions.Ndi Anambra should plant trees,if you
fell one tree, plant at least five tree as replacement," he said.
Moreover,
Engr. Cletus Amaraegbu,urged the
institution's management to take full ownership of the Tenera Specie high
yielding oil palm and coconut seedlings saying that the Palm trees could start
generating revenue in less than 3 years.
Nollywood
actor, Stephen Eboh commended Fedpoly Oko for embarking on the economic tree
planting saying that,the institution has set the pace for other institutions of
higher learning to emulate.
In a
Vote of Thanks, the Acting Registrar, Mr Obini Onuchukwu, called on those who
still engage in deforestation to desist,noting that it is the major cause of
the present global warming the whole world is experiencing.
He
commended the State Governor,Prof Charles Soludo,Dr Forster Ihejiofor,Hon
Amaraegbu and other Principal Officers of the institution for their
contributions towards actualizing the Go Green project.
Highlight
of the flag off was the demonstrative planting of the improved seedlings by all
the dignitaries and management and principal staff of the polytechnic.
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