Alex Ekwueme Federal University to commence architecture programme — VC

The Vice-Chancellor Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Prof Chinedu Nwajuba, has called on the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics of the institution to set up a Committee to commence the preparation for Architecture programme in the school.

Prof. Nwanjuba made this known on Monday during the inauguration of the institution” Campus Green Initiative Club” with the theme “Let’s Grow the Future.”

Nwajuba gave the order following the instruction of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education Dr Jamila Shu’ara , who noted that the institution was named after a renowned architect late Dr Alex Ekwueme.

According to him, “just last week, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education said that because this university was named after a renowned Architect, and the first President of the Association of Nigeria Architect, that this university must have an Architecture programme, so, the DVC you have my mandate to set up a committee in preparation of the Architecture programme,” he said.

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He then called on staff and students of AE-FUNAI, to partner in the tree planting initiative with at least one or two trees as to enjoy better quality air which follows carbon sequestration, less dust, less wind impact and more protection from the sun, heat and buildings from wind and thunderstorm.

Also, the VC further noted that the institution had agreed to patner with the leadership of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) on a number of research areas, including medicinal trees and plants.

According to him, the institution target is to have a campus in a garden which is part of the collaboration with the NIPRD to establish a specific garden for medicinal trees, on the campus.

He, however, thanked the Federal Government for the 1.1 MWh solar plant situated on the campus which has positively changed the energy situation of the university. He then assured that the newly innugurated initiative club will move towards solar energy.

“This institution has planted more than 4,981 ornamental and fruit trees, 704 square metres of Grasses, 10,000 stands of dwarf Izora, ficus, West Indies, and others, 342 stands of spot plants thereby achieving 424.4 tonnes of Carbon dioxide supplanted by shifting from Diesel to renewables especially solar.

“Today, the consequences of deforestation and environmental degradation are all around us. Just last month, this university was visited by a windstorm which removed roofs of buildings, felled street lights and even pushed down walls of buildings.

“The severity of the recent extreme weather event in form of strong wind had the impact it had estimated as at least N500 million naira, partly as a result of the open savanna-like environment of our university. Trees act as wind brakes.”

“We are making a modest contribution to emission reduction and Nigeria meeting her Commitment under the Paris Agreement and her Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), through our campus green initiative.”

Meanwhile, the guest speaker Asso. Prof. Tunji Adedibo commended the VC for being the first within the South-East region to embark on green planting.

Earlier, the coordinator campus Green Initiative Mr Chukwu Ifeanyi noted that the club has the target of planting 20,000 trees stand for 2019 green calendar year.

Highlights of the programme were cash and seedlings donations from every offices and individual within the school.