Climate Action Takes Root at Federal Polytechnic Orogun as Million Tree Campaign Begins

…..Students, Management Unite to Drive Climate Action as Institution Launches Tree Planting Campaign

OROGUN, Delta State —
Federal Polytechnic Orogun has taken a major step towards environmental restoration and climate change mitigation with the launch of the third phase of the A Million Tree Project, an initiative aimed at increasing tree cover, promoting sustainability and creating a greener academic environment.

The project, initiated by the Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF) in partnership with the African Centre for Environmental and Rural Development (ACERD)*and the Neferok Development Initiative (NEDI, was unveiled at a ceremony attended by the management of the Polytechnic, staff members, students, environmental advocates and other stakeholders.

A major highlight of the event was the inauguration of a Tree Planting Club, which will be driven largely by students under the supervision of staff members. The club is expected to serve as a platform for environmental education, advocacy and the continuous maintenance of trees planted within the institution.

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic Orogun, Prof. Duke Okoro, said the project aligned perfectly with an earlier decision of the institution’s Governing Council to embark on massive tree planting across the Polytechnic.

He explained that the Governing Council, led by Professor Niyi Akinaso, MFR, had already resolved that tree planting should become a major feature of the institution’s development plan before the environmental organisations approached the Polytechnic with the million-tree initiative.

“While we were already preparing to implement the council’s decision on planting trees across the institution, our partners came with this initiative. We embraced it because it supports our vision and provides an opportunity for us to achieve more together,” the Rector said.

Prof. Okoro described the establishment of the Tree Planting Club as a deliberate strategy to ensure sustainability, stressing that students must be actively involved because they represent the future custodians of the environment.

He commended the enthusiasm shown by students who volunteered to become pioneer members of the club and personally donated N150,000 to encourage them.

According to him, the gesture was aimed at motivating students to take ownership of the project and understand that environmental protection requires commitment and sacrifice.

“Tree planting is part of our social responsibility as an institution. It will help us address climate change challenges while creating a healthier environment for learning and innovation,” he stated.

The Rector urged members of the club to organise environmental awareness programmes, workshops and community engagement activities to spread the message of sustainability beyond the Polytechnic campus.

He added that the initiative was consistent with the institution’s vision of developing graduates with digital skills, vocational competence and strong character.

“The message is that we must collectively save the world. The effects of climate change are already visible through flooding, rising temperatures and changing weather patterns. Trees help reduce carbon emissions and contribute to restoring environmental balance,” he said.

The Executive Director of CODAF, Richard Benin, described the launch as a significant milestone in the organisation’s environmental campaign, noting that the project was designed not only to plant trees but also to inspire responsibility towards nature.

He praised the management of Federal Polytechnic Orogun for dedicating two hectares of land as a green area for the project, describing the decision as a demonstration of leadership and commitment to sustainability.

“The green area will serve as a living laboratory and a biodiversity sanctuary for years to come. This partnership shows that institutions can play a major role in addressing environmental challenges,” Richard said.

He encouraged students and staff to adopt individual trees, explaining that ownership would encourage proper care and survival of the planted trees.

Richard also called on the institution to consider making tree ownership a graduation requirement, arguing that such a policy would help develop environmentally conscious graduates.

“Beyond academics, students should graduate with a sense of responsibility towards the planet they are inheriting,” he said.

The Registrar of the Polytechnic, Mrs. Christine Aliyu, revealed that the institution had earlier planned a tree planting and beautification programme following approval by the Governing Council.

She explained that implementation was delayed due to the need to complete landscaping arrangements and secure funding.

Mrs. Aliyu said the partnership with the environmental groups provided the opportunity to bring the vision to reality.

“I am delighted because planning is different from execution. Many good ideas fail at the implementation stage, but today we are seeing this dream become reality,” she said.

She urged stakeholders to ensure that the programme continues beyond the launch, noting that a green environment contributes to peace, comfort and improved quality of life.

The Registrar cited the natural beauty and serene atmosphere associated with tree-lined areas in cities such as Abuja as an example of the benefits of environmental conservation.

The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr. Hannah I, described the initiative as a valuable contribution towards raising environmentally responsible young Nigerians.

She pledged the commitment of the Student Affairs Division to supporting the project and encouraged students to actively participate.

Dr. Hannah also supported the proposal that tree planting should become an important part of students’ institutional responsibilities, saying environmental protection affects everyone.

“Cleaner air and a healthier environment benefit all of us. We are committed to ensuring this initiative succeeds,” she said.

The Executive Director of Neferok Development Initiative, Nefertiti Ayo Okotie, congratulated the Polytechnic community and described participants as ambassadors of environmental sustainability.

She said every tree planted represented hope for a cleaner, greener and more resilient future.

In his keynote lecture titled “The Green Mandate: Trees as Nigeria’s Lifeline and Our Collective Responsibility,” the Executive Director of ACERD, Mr. Fred Nowho, stressed the importance of trees in sustaining human life and protecting the environment.

He described trees as critical resources that provide oxygen, reduce carbon emissions, protect soil, preserve biodiversity and help communities cope with climate challenges.

Nowho said Nigeria’s environmental problems, including flooding, desertification and extreme heat, required urgent collective action.

He noted that tree planting must move beyond government policy documents and become a lifestyle embraced by individuals, institutions and communities.

Reflecting on the history of the Polytechnic environment, he observed that the institution was established on land that previously had significant vegetation cover.

He challenged the Polytechnic community to see the project as an opportunity to restore ecological balance.

“If development required the removal of trees, then we have a responsibility to replace them. This institution can become an example of how development and environmental protection can work together,” he said.

Nowho urged students to nurture the trees planted under the project and make environmental conservation part of their daily lives.

The launch ended with the planting of trees by dignitaries and students, marking what stakeholders described as the beginning of a long-term environmental transformation programme at Federal Polytechnic Orogun.

The institution’s management and partners expressed optimism that the initiative would position the Polytechnic as a model green campus and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s climate action efforts.