By Victor G. Banigo
The Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, in her commitment to green initiatives announces introduction of awards to encourage clean and healthy environment in the University campuses.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, gave the hint at the World Environment Day 2025 held on Wednesday 11th June, 2025 at the University’s Amphitheatre.
Prof. Zeb-Obipi disclosed that, as the institution’s commitment to stimulate clean and healthy environment, the proposed awards which is part of the University’s green initiatives include cleanest campus, faculty and residence on campus.
The Vice-Chancellor states that the green initiatives align with the theme for this year’s World Environment Day: “Beat Plastic Pollution”, stressing that the theme serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect the planet.
“Let’s work together to reduce plastic waste, promote sustainable practices, and preserve natural resources for future generations,” the VC said.
Speaking as Chairman of the Occasion, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, commended the University for the green initiatives and expressed his readiness to collaborate with the institution through the Centre for Climate Change and Forest Resources as well as other environment-related departments in the area of research by providing the needed links and funding.
The Keynote Speaker, Dr. Chidi Ikocha, Corporate HSE Manager NLNG, in his speech titled: “Beat Plastic Pollution-The Role of the Universities,” noted that of the 400 million tons of plastic waste generated, 10 million tons end up in the ocean, projecting that by the year 2050, the world would be farming plastics rather than fishes.
He recommended the use of biodegradable bags, cups, and packages against the use of plastic products especially for food packaging, attributing increase of various diseases including cancer that is now prevalent in the society even among children to the use of plastics.
On the role of the universities and research institutes in the fight against plastic pollution, Dr. Ikocha, charged them to come up with reliable research ideas that are profitable to the society and environment, stressing that they should not be deterred by the issues of funding as organizations such as the NLNG and others in fight against plastic pollution are ever ready to provide the needed support for such ideas to mitigate the menace to see the light of day.
The Lead Paper Presenter, Chief Akpabio Essien, who is the President Waste Management Association of Nigeria, advocates the need for behavioral change on the part of all residents in Nigeria, as a way to protect the environment for posterity.
The environmentalist stressed the culture of proper waste segregation in Nigeria to enhance effective management, stating that lack of proper waste segregation is a major factor responsible for plastic pollution.
Earlier in his address, the Director, Centre for Climate Change and Forest Resources / Chairman of the Planning Committee, Prof. Sodienye Augustine Abere, acknowledged the useful role played by members of the Planning Committee and thanked the Vice-Chancellor for hosting the World Environment Day 2025. He assured the VC that the Centre will continue to promote the green initiatives.
The highlights of the event, World Environment Day 2025 were tree planting in the university main campus by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi and the Chairman of the Occasion, Senator John Azuta-Mbata and special “Award of Environmental Champion” presented to them, the Keynote Speaker and the Lead Paper Presenter respectively.
