YABATECH OUTSHINES LAGOS SCHOOLS….. WINS GOVT ENVIRONMENT AWARD

 Apparently living to its slogan, “Yaba the great, the first is still the best”, Yaba College of Technology in the course of preserving the nature within its academic environment has won the Lagos State 2012 Tree Planting Award for the second time thereby outshining all institutions in the state.

The award was presented to the College at the fourth anniversary of tree and planting exercise tagged “Operation Green Lagos” by the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, for being one of the tertiary institutions with the best nurtured trees supporting the Lagos State government in actualizing the objectives of its operation Green Lagos.

The Rector, Margaret Kudirat Ladipo in her address, said Yabatech share the passion of the Lagos State Government on tree planting project, as they acknowledge the benefits inherent in tree planting which includes provision of shades, air environment, desert encroachment and erosion as well as reduction of noise and light glares amongst others.

According to her, “we maintained this passion all the year round in Yaba College of Technology as we continue to nurture the trees planted, everyday of the year. So to us, July 14 represents the commencement of another cycle in the everyday process of preserving our environment.”

She lamented the level of assault on Nigerian environment through indiscriminate ways trees are being pulled down without replacement which exposes the environments to inherent dangers.

She urged Nigerians to keep the lands very green and safe by planting trees for the sustenance of a green environment that portrays a sense of orderliness and serenity which could be likened to the provision of essential urban infrastructure; she averred.

In his keynote address, the Executive Gov. of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola said it is not enough to plant trees but importantly preserve the existing ones from those who wish to cut them for any reason.

He said “as much as development is desirable, expansion is inevitable, the development we crave for, is not a sufficient reason for us to jeopardize our present and the expectation of posterity. A meaningful development must have the green content for sustainability”.

The Honourable Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, who was represented by the Assistance Chief Scientific Officer, Mr. Olasunkanmi Sojimu said trees create vital habitat and promote biodiversity in that abundant forest do not just enhance lives but they save lives.

He Commended Yaba College of Technology on its belief in this laudable project of Lagos State.

Dr. Ladipo commended the entire College Community giving kudos to the Environmental Management and Beautification Committee of the College for a job well done.