By CrossRiverWatch Admin
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in collaboration with the POP (Protect Our Planet) Movement, Transformation Home Africa, Deep Root Academy, The University of Calabar and YALI Cross River State recently marked the 2021 World Earth Day with the theme: Restore Our Earth.
The event which was a week-long event (Monday 19 – Friday 23 April, 2021) began with advocacy visits by the team to the office of the first female Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi.
Received by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Administration, Prof. Michael Okom who represented the VC, the team was lauded for the visit.
Prof. Michael in his remark noted that the University was willing to work closely with the group and provide all needed support to ensure a successful outing while also noting the importance of preservating the earth with respect to tree planting and environmental pollution.
Other visits also included the visit to the Dean of Faculty of Environmental Sciences and other Heads of Departments in the University. The team also visited the Cross River State Ministry of Environment, Drill Ranch and other CSOs to create awareness on the need to protect the earth through sustainable actions.
The visit was however followed by a symposium held at the GIS Lab of the department of Geography, University of Calabar where a lecture and a panel discussion was held for students and other members of the University community.
Mr. Emmanuel Owan, a representative of the NCF noted during his presentation as one of the panelist stressed the importance of managing the earth.
He highlighted the importance of living in harmony with nature while also outlining the negative effect of man’s interaction with mother earth and encouraged participants at the workshop to utilize the earth resources sustainably.
Other speakers and panelist at the workshop include Mr. Samuel Okorie (a UN Ambassador of Climate Change) and Mr. Kenedy Omojefe (founder, Transformation Home Africa).
This symposium was followed by a clean-up exercise within the university environment on the 4th day of the event which culminated in the presentation of waste bins and baskets by the Vice Chancellor of the University, this time represented by the Director of Planning Arch. James Ikpi to the institution’s guests – NCF, POP MOVEMENT, Transformation Home Africa and other who have come together to form a group known as Calabar Climate Advocates.
The week-long event ended with a visit to the Drill Ranch for youths and students to be able to appreciate nature and the importance of conservation.
Leave feedback about this