The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde on Wednesday, 10th June, 2020 at the Main Campus in Ago-Iwoye led other Principal Officers of the University to commence the next phase of the beautification and landscaping of the University environment through tree planting.
Speaking at the flag-off event which took place at the premises of the new Senate Building, Prof. Olatunde who restated the Management commitment towards ensuring that the University wears a new look in terms of aesthetics and ambience, profoundly appreciated the enviable efforts of the Environmental Management Unit of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office for effecting a great and visible difference in the University’s environment.
According to him “everybody would attest to the fact that this campus has changed, the ambience has changed, the look and the environment have changed progressively and positively too”.
He stated that tree planting has some environmental benefits like restoring quality of life, increasing the level of clean air in our environment and serving as a shield against inclement weather. “ I am happy we are leading that change in terms of inculcating the culture of greenery, tree planting and preservation of the ecosystem among members of the University community”.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the Head of Environmental Management Unit of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Mr. O. A. Fashina thanked the Vice-Chancellor and the entire Management team for their love for the environment and their usual support in the landscaping project. While noting that the flagging-off of tree planting project was necessary to complement the landscaping of the University campuses, Mr Fasina disclosed that the benefits attributable to tree planting in an environment like a University were tremendous.
Such benefits, according to him, included stabilising and conserving the soil thereby reducing soil erosion, purifying air in the environment by taking carbondioxide (CO2) and releasing oxygen (O2), and being a source of natural air conditioning by providing shade for staff and students.
Mr. Fasina concluded his speech by recommending that staff should endeavour to walk among trees and regularly behold trees from their offices as research has proved that work stress could be reduced through these activities.
In his response, the Vice-Chancellor, who promised to continue to support the Unit for sustainable developmental effort in the landscaping and beautification of the University environment, implored the unit to extend similar gesture to other campuses till a beautiful environment is roundly established in the University.
The highpoint of the event was the planting of Tree seedlings of Terminalia mantaly commonly known as Step tree or Umbrella Tree by the Vice-Chancellor and other Principal Officers around the new Senate Building at the Main Campus. Also present at the event were Staff Union leaders and other University functionaries.
