Efforts are being made to exercise control over the land through regulated use, control of indiscriminate burning of bush, planting of cassia trees along the boundary, construction of a dam, protecting and expanding the University Farm, Sugar Research Institute Farm, Botanical/Zoological Garden, establishment of parks, teak plantation and an orchard. These are apart from the beautification of the Campus by grassing and planting of ornamental plants and creation of walkways and bicycle paths. Highlights of these activities and others as they relate to how they can reduce energy usage/wastage, erosion as well as creating a serene, clean, healthy and beautiful environment for an academic institution. Some principles of sustainable development assess the levels of their application by the University of Ilorin. These principles include: Conservation of biodiversity and ecological integrity; appropriate valuation, appreciation and restoration of nature; integration of environmental, social, human and economic goals in policies and activities; equal opportunity and Community participation (Sustainable Community); Continuous improvement; good governance; transparent and systemic dealing with risk, uncertainty and irreversibility; inter-generational equity; commitment to best practice; no-net-loss of human capital or natural capital and global integration of localities.
The environment within which human beings and other organisms live continues to experience changes the world over. Human beings have caused profound environmental changes in their search for survival and development. This has resulted in negative environmental changes manifested by soil erosion, loss of cropland, pollution, deforestations and disruption of biological diversity among others. Recurrent incidence of drought, famine, floods and rapid vegetation modification point to a possible breakdown in the natural environment. Of all human activities affecting the environment, deforestation is the singular reason that accounts for most of our world’s ecological imbalances and loss of million hectares of forests. Understanding the degree to which trees actually maintain life on our planet is critical to our survival. Without trees, human life would be unsustainable. Trees provide oxygen and promote the health and integrity of the soil. Trees provide a wide range of products and life-supporting services (carbon sequestration, erosion control, soil fertility, shade and beautification). However, the beauty of green is being replaced by the grey of concrete. With the loss of forests and green cover, more and more species of floral and fauna are becoming extinct. Rapid economic development, industrialization, population explosion and vehicular emission have led to considerable rise in urban pollution affecting air, water and land. The available facts of rapid environmental degradation and its associated consequences including global warming, call for urgent rescue of the earth from the present trend that may lead to its inability to sustain its population. One major but sure way of doing this, without contravening the goals of sustainability, is returning the land to the old natural equilibrium of its physical, chemical and biological components. This paper reports on the initiatives and best practices from two Nigerian Universities in this regard.
The campuses of both Universities are large and extensive. Ilorin, located in the North –Central region of Nigeria has atypical Guinea savannah vegetation, while Gombe, in the North-East has Sahel savannah vegetation. Annual rainfall is between 300 – 1,200 mm per annum, with distinct wet and dry seasons. A lot of human and financial resources were committed to achieve stated objectives. Specific measures taken include: i. Formulation and implementation of Strategic Plans and Environmental Policies. ii. Establishment of an Environmental Protection Committee, which oversees the issue of landscaping and beautification of the campuses. iii. Engagement of a Landscaping workforce iv. Establishment of a Biological Garden (which houses a Zoo and a Botanical garden), the University Farm, Sugar Research Institute Farm, Teak, Jatropha, and Citrus Plantations, as well as Parks and Gardens Nurseries. v. Planting of trees within and around the campuses. These trees along with others serve as carbon sink, sequestering and storing carbon through the processes of photosynthesis and wood formation. vi. Construction of a dam to supply water for human use, fishing , watering of ornamental plants and prospecting in hydro-electric power generation. vii. Prohibition of indiscriminate felling of trees and burning of bush on the campuses. viii. Inclusion of courses relating to conservation in University curriculum. Such courses include Conservation and Development of Forest Resources, Nigerian Animals, Nigerian Vegetation, Plant Ecology, Plant Taxonomy, Environmental Impact Assessment, Landscaping and Rangeland Management. ix. Conducting research in Environmental Chemistry with particular reference to atmospheric pollution. x. Patenting of environment-related products such as conversion of waste pure water sachets into candles, grease and oil-sorbing wafers – research products from the Department of Chemistry and Department of Chemical Engineering . xi. Establishment of Apiary which helps to conserve bees needed in flower pollination mechanisms and stabilization of the ecosystems, in addition to production of honey for human consumption and industrial uses. xii. Prohibition of farming upstream and around the University dam so as to protect the aquatic ecosystem from chemical pollution arising from use of chemical fertilizers. xiii. Prohibition of animal hunting on the campus to protect such wildlife populations as monkeys, bush-fowls, warthogs and bats. xiv. Introduction of a compulsory course in entrepreneurship which has the potential to expose students to sustainable enterprise, whereby the needs of environmental and social systems are seen as opportunities for development of business and generation of profit.
The environment within which human beings and other organisms live continues to experience changes the world over. Human beings have caused profound environmental changes in their search for survival and development. This has resulted in negative environmental changes manifested by soil erosion, loss of cropland, pollution, deforestation and disruption of biological diversity among others. Recurrent incidences of drought, famine, floods and rapid vegetation modification point to a possible breakdown in the natural environment. Of all human activities affecting the environment, deforestation is the practice that accounts for most of our world’s ecological imbalances and loss of million hectares of forests. Understanding the degree to which trees actually maintain life on our planet is critical to our survival. Without trees, human life would be unsustainable. Trees provide oxygen and promote the health and integrity of the soil. Trees provide a wide range of products and life-supporting services (carbon sequestration, erosion control, soil fertility, shade and beautification). However, the beauty of green is being replaced by the grey of concrete. With the loss of forests and green cover, more and more species of flora and fauna are becoming extinct. Rapid economic development, industrialization, population explosion and vehicular emission have led to considerable rise in urban pollution affecting air, water and land. The available facts of rapid environmental degradation and its associated consequences including global warming, call for urgent rescue of the earth from the present trend that may lead to its inability to sustain its population. One major but sure way of doing this, without contravening the goals of sustainability, is returning the land to the old natural equilibrium of its physical, chemical and biological components. This paper reports on the initiatives and best practices from two Nigerian Universities in this regard.
The goal of the initiative is to restore nature’s equilibrium on the university campuses for sustainable development. Towards this goal the major objectives are to:
Make our campuses models in the reforestation process;
Foster collaboration towards greening the campuses;
Stimulate and sharpen environmental awareness;
Stimulate research on matters relating to environmental protection;
Encourage the spirit of teamwork and cooperation towards environmental sustainability; and
Use and recycle materials when feasible
The campuses of both Universities are quite large. Ilorin, located in the North – Central region of Nigeria has atypical Guinea savannah vegetation, while Gombe, in the Northeast has Sahel savannah vegetation. Annual rainfall is between 300 – 1,200mm, with distinct wet and dry seasons. A lot of human and financial resources were committed to achieve stated objectives. Specific measures taken include:
Formulation and implementation of Strategic Plans and Environmental Policies.
Establishment of an Environmental Protection Committee, which oversees the issue of landscaping and beautification of the campuses.
Engagement of a Landscaping workforce.
Establishment of a Biological Garden (which houses a Zoo and a Botanical garden), the University Farm, Sugar Research Institute Farm, Teak, Jatropha, and Citrus Plantations, as well as Parks and Gardens Nurseries.
Planting of trees within and around the campuses. These trees along with others serve as a carbon sink, sequestering and storing carbon through the processes of photosynthesis and wood formation.
Construction of a dam to supply water for human use, fishing , watering of ornamental plants and prospecting in hydro-electric power generation.
Prohibition of indiscriminate felling of trees and burning of bush on the campuses.
Inclusion of courses relating to conservation in University curriculum. Such courses include Conservation and Development of Forest Resources, Nigerian Animals, Nigerian Vegetation, Plant Ecology, Plant Taxonomy, Environmental Impact Assessment, Landscaping and Rangeland Management.
Conducting research in Environmental Chemistry with particular reference to atmospheric pollution.
Patenting of environment-related products such as conversion of pure water sachets into candles, grease and oil absorbing wafers – research products from the Department of Chemistry and Department of Chemical Engineering .
Establishment of Apiary which helps to conserve bees needed in flower pollination mechanisms and stabilization of the ecosystems, in addition to production of honey for human consumption and industrial uses.
Prohibition of farming upstream and around the university dam so as to protect the aquatic ecosystem from chemical pollution arising from use of chemical fertilizers.
Prohibition of animal hunting on the campus to protect such wildlife populations as monkeys, bush-fowls, warthogs and bats.
Introduction of a compulsory course in entrepreneurship which has the potential to expose students to sustainable enterprise, whereby the needs of environmental and social systems are seen as opportunities for development of business and generation of profit.
Landscaping and beautification of the campuses; trees used in Landscaping Project in University of Ilorin (2008) - Planted Royal Palm 659 Golden Palm 600 Queen Palm 600 Masquerade Tree 907 Umbrella Tree 669 Thuja 520 Whistling Pine 322
Hedge Plant Used in Landscaping Project in University of Ilorin Plants Number - Yellow Bush 6,838 Double Ixora 3,442 Single Ixora 4,586 Yellow Ficus 5,313
Campus Perimeter Trees The boundary or borderline of the University campuses were demarcated with Cassia trees. To date, about ten thousand seedlings have been planted on about 20 kilometres of the perimeter.
Plantation Scheme v. Teak: A 157 hectares of Teak at a planting density of 1,250 seedlings per hectare vi. Citrus : Fifteen hectares vii. Mango : Fifteen hectares viii. Jatropha: Sixty hectares Apiary Project The Apiary project has the capacity to produce 500,000 litres of processed honey annually Dam and Aquaculture The University Dam was officially commissioned on the 25th of May, 2007. The dam has served not only as a source of water for the University Community; but it has been developed by the University for the promotion of best practices in aquaculture, particularly fish farming and aquaculture research.
Apiary Project Honey production in Nigeria, in most cases, has been through harvesting of honey from wild beehives which is prevalent in most parts of Nigeria leading to the destruction of the ecosystem. The University of Ilorin Apiary Project involves the keeping of beehives using the Kenya Top Bars and Langstroth system. The project is being carried out in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Campus Perimeter Trees Instead of building or erecting artificial fences, the boundary or borderline of the University campuses are demarcated with trees. iii. Plantation Scheme: Plantation schemes, for income generation and research especially Jatropha, for biofuel.
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