The AUN community recently united for a green initiative spearheaded by the AUN STARS Club, with the aim of promoting environmental sustainability through a tree-planting campaign. The event, which took place at the front of the E-Library, saw a great turnout of enthusiastic participants eager to contribute to the beautification of the campus and support global environmental efforts.
The initiative, which encourages participants to become "Plant Parents," seeks to instill a sense of responsibility and connection with nature. The STARs Club, standing for "Students Advocating for Regional Sustainability," is dedicated to integrating environmental awareness into the daily lives of AUN students. Participants have been tasked with nurturing their plants and are encouraged to submit pictures of their progress to the club each semester.
Mr. Raymond Obindu, the Sustainability Manager and AUN STARS Club Advisor emphasized the global importance of such initiatives. He noted that tree planting is not just a local effort but part of a broader movement to combat desertification, particularly in the Sahel region. "We are tapping into the global agenda of making the environment green. Tree planting on campus helps students understand the responsibility of caring for the earth," he said.
AUN STARS Club President Ohirijesu Okonta Noelle further highlighted the club's mission of promoting environmental sustainability and ensuring a lasting green environment for future generations. "Trees emit oxygen, provide a cool environment, and are essential to our well-being. Our goal is to plant more trees for the future while enjoying their benefits today," she explained.
Participants shared their excitement about the initiative. Farida Suru Gambari, an economics major, said, "It seems fun and wonderful to be a plant parent by taking care of the tree." Mathew Abedoh, Cleaning, and Waste Manager added, "We hope students implement tree planting in their daily lives, as it has religious blessings attached to it."
Zainab Bukar, a Communication, and Multimedia Design student highlighted the spiritual rewards of tree planting from an Islamic perspective, noting, "Planting a tree is a form of working for the hereafter, and being a plant parent is amazing."
The AUN STARS Club's initiative not only enhances the campus's greenery but also reinforces the importance of sustainability, leaving a lasting environmental legacy for current and future students.
Reported by Aishatu Munnauwarah Yahya