Federal Polytechnic Oko appeals for state government partnership on erosion control, agric school establishment

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BY SUNNY A. DAVID, AWKA

The Acting Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, Dr. Uche Onyegbu, has appealed to the State government to partner with the institution in its efforts to control gully erosion sites and establish a School of Agriculture at its Ufuma campus.

The appeal was made during the flag-off of a tree planting campaign aimed at protecting and conserving the environmental ecosystem.

The state government has pledged support for the initiative, recognizing the importance of environmental protection and agricultural development.

He described the event as a noble exercise and in fulfillment of already mapped out policy of the institution on environmental protection, conservation and aesthetics.

According to him, the institution understands the importance of protecting the environment, hence considered it worthy to embark on the exercise also targeted at preventing gully erosion already threatening structures in the institution.

“We appeal to the state government to collaborate with us in our efforts to control the various gully erosion sites in the institution.

“We also call for more collaboration in the area of establishment of School of Agriculture at the Ufuma campus,” Dr. Onyegbu said.

Performing the symbolic tree planting exercise under its ”Operation Go Green” at the institution’s premises, Commissioner For Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor noted that the gesture would help regulate the climate and ensure ecosystem stability.

The Commissioner, represented by Permanent Secretary, Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka said protecting the environment was among government’s vision to transform the State into a liveable, prosperous mega city.

He regretted that the State has been bedevilled by deforestation, stressing the need for citizens to engage in mass tree planting which he said involved mobilisation of students to plant at least one tree.

While urging residents to plant trees to ensure healthy living as well as check erosion and guard against global warming, Dr. Ihejiofor underscored the need to ensure the trees were nurtured to maturity.

“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, you plant at least five trees,” the Commissioner added.

Former Board Member, National Board For Technology Incubation and member of Academic Staff Union of the Research Institute, Hon. Cletus Amaraegbu urged the institution’s management to take full ownership of the Tenera Specie high yielding oil palm and coconut seedlings.

On his part, Mr Stephen Eboh, a Nollywood Actor recognised as the face of the “Operation Go Green” initiative, listed other benefits of the exercise to include revenue generation, erosion control and other economic derivables.

“With the commencement of the exercise, the institution has set the pace in the comity of higher institutions of higher learning in promoting environmental friendly ecosystem,” he quipped.

Acting Registrar of the institution, Mr Obini Onuchukwu, while appreciating the dignitaries that graced the occasion, called on those who still engage in deforestation to desist, describing the act as 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 and support services towards the realisation of the project.

He pledged the readiness of the institution to partner the State Ministry of Agriculture to develop Aqua-culture and related activities at its Atani campus.

Deputy Rector, Dr Ken Ezekwe, Bursar, Mr Stephen Udu were among the personalities that attended the ceremony.