Bauchi Varsity Pledges Support for Environmental Conservation

Segun  Awofadeji in Bauchi

Bauchi State University Gadau (BASUG) has reiterated full commitment to give all the necessary support needed to ensure environmental conservation in the institution’s community.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Fatima Tahir, gave the assurance yesterday on the occasion of the planting of 1,000 tree seedlings and launching of orchard by Offshore Lab with support from Shell Development Company, held at the new ICT complex on the main campus of the university.

The vice chancellor commended Offshore Lab for the initiative, which she said it is good to see that the organisation has shown interest in the environment and try to conserve it.

According to her, the initiative comes at the right time as the university always has the idea of establishing the orchard, hence appreciate Offshore Lab for equally conceiving the same idea.

She said: “In as much as the university always has this idea of wanting to establish something like this, I must say that this is the conception of Offshore Lab and also with the support of Shell Development Company.”

Tahir said the university deemed it necessary to provide space for the establishment of the orchard considering its importance not only to the institution, but to the larger community.

The VC added: “All we did was to give them space to establish the orchard. They have done their part, it is now our turn to do our part.”

She, therefore, urged particularly the students of Environmental Conservation Club of the university to take ownership of the orchard, adding that the university is also going to play its own part.

“Taking care of these trees is not going to be your own sole responsibility, but the university is also going to play its part. But you are going to play a major role in ensuring that these trees that you have planted actually grow and produce fruits,” Tahir added.

On his part, CEO of Offshore Lab, Mr. Emeka Obiwulu, said the idea of this plantation was to take advantage of what the school is already doing in terms of environmental conservation and further develop on it.

He, however, emphasised the need to take ownership of the plantation so as to ensure sustainability, adding that they will ensure constant monitoring.

Obiwulu, therefore, advised the students to adopt the tress as put forward by the Vice Chancellor and take care of it.