A Million Tree Project Phase 3 Launched at Federal Polytechnic Orogun with Push for Student Ownership

|Orogun, Delta State  

The A Million Tree Project entered Phase 3, with an official flag-off at Federal Polytechnic Orogun. The event was led by Community Development Advocacy Foundation CODAF, African Center for Environmental and Rural Development ACERD, and Neferok Development Initiative, and drew management staff, lecturers, journalists, and students in a joint show of commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action.

The program began with an opening speech by Mr. Richard Benin, Executive Director of CODAF. He described the occasion as the official launch of Phase 3 and stressed that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality, visible in shifting weather patterns and environmental degradation.

Benin commended the school management for partnering on the initiative and for allocating one acre of land for the project, calling it a clear sign of commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. He advocated that tree ownership be made a prerequisite for graduation. Addressing students, he challenged them to see tree planting as a personal responsibility and urged every student to adopt and nurture a tree to help create a cleaner environment and a lasting legacy for the institution. He concluded by urging all stakeholders to embrace the project as a movement to transform the campus into a greener, more environmentally conscious learning space.

A welcome remark followed from the Rector, Prof. Duke Okoro. Goodwill messages were delivered by the Registrar, Mrs. Christine Aluyi, the Executive Director of ACERD, the Executive Director of Neferok Initiative, and the Dean of Student Affairs.

Mr. Fred Nohwo delivered a lecture titled “The Green Mandate: Trees as Nigeria’s Lifeline and Our Collective Responsibility.” He focused on the critical role trees play in sustaining life and tackling environmental challenges. Nohwo highlighted Nigeria’s national target of planting 20 billion trees by 2030 and urged the polytechnic to align with that vision.

He noted that the land now occupied by Federal Polytechnic Orogun was once covered by a thriving forest ecosystem. While institutional development represents progress, he said, there is also a need to restore part of what was lost through deliberate and sustained reforestation. He called on students to go beyond one-day planting exercises and adopt tree planting as a lifelong culture and responsibility.

A major highlight was the official inauguration of the A Million Tree Club at Federal Polytechnic Orogun by the Rector. The club launched with an initial membership of 44 students charged with serving as environmental ambassadors within the institution.

After the inauguration, participants moved to the planting site. The Rector led by planting a symbolic tree at the center of the institution. He was followed by the Registrar, the Dean of Students Affairs, the Executive Director of CODAF, and four other members of the management board, all of whom planted tree seedlings.

After the ceremonial planting, the remaining seedlings were handed over to the A Million Tree Club to ensure continuous planting, monitoring, and maintenance across the campus.

 

Organizers said the flag-off marked another significant milestone in advancing environmental sustainability and climate action within educational institutions. The event raised awareness on the importance of tree planting, inspired collective action, and established a platform for long-term environmental stewardship through the new club. 

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