Bukola Olamona
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The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, has stressed the need to keep a clean, green and healthy environment, while commending the Tree Planting initiative of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife of the Institution’s Faculty of Agriculture.

Ajibefun gave the charge while leading the maiden tree planting programme by the 400- level students the Department, who had already raised about 2,000 seedlings of teak as part of their final year practical projects.

 The VC said, “We all have a role to play in ensuring that our environment is clean, green and healthy for human use. Tree planting is one of those ways to protect and beautify our environment. So, I congratulate the Faculty of Agriculture on the success of today, especially the Department of Forestry and Wildlife for piloting this great initiative.”

 The tree planting was done to commemorate this year’s World Environment Day. It is meant to raise awareness about the declining condition of the environment as a result of deforestation and to inform people about the importance of healthy environment to mankind.

 In her Address, the Head of the Department, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwayemisi Arowosoge, noted that tree planting is a practice that should be adopted by all agriculturists and farmers as it alleviates poverty. She described it as an agro-forestry practice which would, henceforth, be a yearly programme.

 She added that of the 2,000 seedlings of teak raised, half of them had been planted as their contribution to a greener environment and that it would, henceforth, be a yearly programme. “It’s a practice which should be adopted by all agriculturists and farmers as it will go a long way in alleviating poverty among farmers – who in most cases depend on arable crops for livelihood, while also minimizing the damage which would have been done to the environment. “

 Top members of management, who with the Vice Chancellor, participated in the planting of trees, include the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige; University Librarian, Dr. Rotimi Egunjobi, and Dean, Student Affairs, Professor Francis Gbore.