The Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has commended the efforts of the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Professor Adebiyi Daramola, and his management team for adding value to the environment through its annual Greening programme. Mimiko, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Olufemi Bosede, made the remark during the FUTA Greening 2013 programme
organized recently by the Advancement Centre at the CCE Hilltop Auditorium. The Governor said, ‘tree planting improves the quality of air in the environment and reduces pollution’. Evaluating the greening programme from the health angle, Governor Mimiko said “greening programme is a desirable health-promoting programme. It is therefore not a surprise that FUTA’s environment is beautiful, enticing, attractive, conducive and habitable through its greening features”.
Professor Daramola, in his address, reiterated the importance of protecting the environment so as to reduce the
effect of global warming. He spoke through the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Professor Adedayo Fasakin.
According to Professor Daramola, a good and well maintained environment promotes good quality of life for all living things, including human and animals. He said the Management has underscored the importance of environmental regeneration by making the Greening programme an annual event.
Stressing the importance of having a well maintained green environment, Professor Daramola said the University would soon have a Green House for proper management of University landscape, beautification, environmental protection and greening in the University alongside an Advancement Park for students, staff and public recreation. However, he said the University wants donor or donors of such parks which would be named after them.
One of the high point of the event was the presentation of the award of FUTA Greening Ambassador to one time
Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Senator Adegbenga Kaka and Mr. Taye Haruna, permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, in recognition of their contributions towards the annual Greening Programme.
Responding, Senator Kaka corroborated both Professor Daramola and Governor Mimiko on the importance of tree planting. He enumerated the benefits of tree planting to include aesthetic, health and social, environmental and economic benefits. Appreciating the honour bestowed on him, Senator Kaka thanked the management and identified with the Green House Project of the University.
The Director of the University’s Advancement Centre and host, Dr. (Mrs.) Funke Oyebade thanked the University management for the opportunity to have the annual event. She also said this about the ambassadors, “Senator Adegbenga Kaka is uncorrupted and an incorruptible politician and a lover of Agriculture while Mr. Taye Haruna is an environmental technocrat per excellence. No doubt they both fit into our programme and deserve the honour”. The representative of the governor, the Green Ambassadors, all the principal officers and directors of FUTA later planted trees to give practical expression to the greening programme.
