By Charles Ayodele
Tree planting has been suggested as one of the ways of ensuring the growth and sustenance of the environment.
This was the consensus of speakers at the tree planting at the Ekiti State University, EKSU, Ado-Ekiti, and Ijan-Ekiti, to immortalize the first Professor of Forestry in Africa, the late Emeritus Prof. Samuel Kolade Adeyoju, a native of Ijan-Ekiti.
The event was put together by the Department of Forestry Resources and Wildlife Management, EKSU, in collaboration with Ekiti State Forestry Commission, Green to Abundant Development and Empowerment Foundation, GADEF, and Forestry Association of Nigeria, FAN.
The Vice Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Prof Babatola Ayodele who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Development, Prof.Ayan Adeleke, said the institution is stepping up in diverse areas of academic programmes and will continue to grow. He commended the honour bestowed on the late Prof. Adeyoju, a man many described as a forestry icon.
The VC pledged that the school will try its best to institutionalize the event as an annual affair to justify the immortalization of the late academic.
Head, Department of Forestry, EKSU, Prof. Olufunke Olayode explained that the tree planting is expected to hold diverse forest species and serve other purposes that will have effect on teaching and research not only for students but others in forestry and allied fields. According to her, “we view it from the perspective of taking the initiative to a world heritage centre. She remarked that eighty-eight trees were planted to commemorate the programme.
The Executive Secretary, Ekiti State Forestry Commission, Mr Sunday Adekunle, expressed joy that such a remarkable event was taking place to immortalize the Ijan-born renowned forester. He said himself and the late Professor’s paths crossed briefly when he, the Executive Secretary was in the university.
He noted that immortalizing the educationist whose academic engagements made him to traverse some of the universities both within and outside the country is an honour well deserved.
Representative of the late Professor’s family, Prof. Babatunde Ajayi expressed gratitude to the initiators of the memorial arboretum. He gave an assurance that the family will maintain the milestone gesture.
A former deputy governor of Ekiti State, Dr Sikiru Lawal commended those who conceived the idea of immortalizing the late scholar. He described it as an indelible landmark and believes such effort will be maintained by the family.
There were goodwill messages from the Co-founder of Green to Abundant Development and Empowerment Foundation, GADEF, Mr Olatilu Olubunmi, National Secretary, Forestry Association of Nigeria,FAN, prof. Olukayode Ogunsawo among others.