Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, will plant 2,080 trees in three months to strengthen environmental sustainability and mitigate the negative impact of climate change.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Kabiru Bala disclosed this on the sideline of a workshop on Tree Planting, Waste Recycling and Sustainable Practices for ABU students held at the institution in Zaria.
The workshop was organised by UNICEF in collaboration with ABU in Zaria.
Bala, represented by Professor Sahalu Junaid, said the partnership was hinged on tree planting and sustainable waste management under the Green Rising Initiative of UNICEF.
He noted that ABU had a long tradition of tree planting and it had planted over five million trees across its campuses in five years.
“Under the recycling component of the partnership, UNICEF has supported the construction of 12 collection kiosks around the campus, buying waste for recycling purposes.
“UNICEF and ABU want these initiatives to be owned by young people so that they can use it as a means of entrepreneurship,” he said.
The vice chancellor said the 2,080 trees would be planted on five hectares of land and UNICEF had provided a number of support for the volunteers.
Water Sanitation and Hygiene Expert, UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, Ms Theresa Pamma said the partnership with ABU is strategic.
Pamma said UNICEF’s Green Rising Project is aimed at engaging youths to be active participants in climate change interventions and “when one is looking at the critical mass of youths, ABU is a strategic partner on this.”
She added that UNICEF is leveraging on youths at ABU who are from different parts of the country to cascade Green Rising campaign down towards mitigating the impact of climate change.
She explained that the initiative is aimed at increasing awareness on issues around climate and making youths to be active participants in the implementation of the interventions.
She said the partnership initially targeted 200 students as volunteers, but the turnout was overwhelming, noting that UNICEF would meet with the university towards increasing the number. (NAN)
