Photo: Prof Elom
The Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, plans to plant more than 100,000 fast growing timbers by 2022, with a view to combating climate change and boost internally generated revenue.
Prof. Sunday Elom, the university’s Vice Chancellor, stated this in a statement issued by the institution’s spokesman, Mr Ikechukwu Ubochi, on Tuesday in Abakaliki.
According to him, part of the purpose of planting more trees on the campus is to beautify it make the campus environmental-friendly.
“Efforts will be made to create reserve areas within the university land for aggressive planting of about 100,000 fast-growing timbers by 2022.
“It will serve as source of internally generated revenue through timber. These trees will yield billions of naira in 20 years.
“We have earlier launched Campus-Green Initiative of the university which has the goal of building a campus-in-a-garden, thus making the university one of the most beautiful and eco-friendly campuses in Nigeria,’’ he stated.
The institution’s vice chancellor further explained that the green initiative, which started in 2016, had led to aggressive annual tree planting campaign, with more than 33, 000 ornamental and fruit trees which have already been planted within the university campus.