“Greening the Campus” is the first campus seminar of the Green Campus Initiative at Kaduna State University, which introduces eco-sustainability, instigate sustainable actions among students in Kaduna State University. Barakat Tiamiyu; a Green Campus Ambassador, convenes the events, involving the different stakeholders that graced the occasion.

Green Ambassadors at Kaduna State University

The event was held at the Faculty of Science Lecture Theatre, Kaduna State University on the 31st May 2016. Two hundred and fifty (250) students from various departments in the University were in attendance. Several staff also graced the event. Mr Yusuf Sokfa Kanhu (a youth ambassador) was the anchor for the event. The theme “GREENING THE CAMPUS” event is aimed to create awareness about the importance of 'Going Green', to form a green family of volunteers working together to build a positive and sustainable future.

The event kick started by recognising the presence of distinguished guests; Prof. Bala Dogo - Dean of Postgraduate Studies, KASU, Madam Ketura Aku– Administrator of Hamdala Hostel, Dr Yusuf Saleh (Lecturer, Geography Department)– Representing (Dean, Faculty of Science- Prof. J. G. Laah). Speakers: Arc Gbolade Ogundele -Representing the Green Team, Alpha Nathaniel Hayab – Young Farmer’s Initiative, and Dr Salamatu Sukai Akor – Mandela Washington Alumni.

Miss Barakat Tiamiyu introduced the Green Campus Initiative (GCI). She remarkably took the students round the journey on how she became a GCI ambassador. She talked about the exciting part of working to promote students participation in environmental actions, and how seeing different passions has kept pushing her to forge ahead. She also spoke about what GCI is doing to tackle climate change and environmental sustainability and how students can get involved. A more elaborate explanation was given by Arc Gbolade Ogundele, as he talked about what Going Green further entails, citing some visual example in Kaduna environs, and explaining the steps of achieving environmental sustainability as students. The audience then watched a video presentation that summarised the different GCI activities so far.

Alpha Nathaniel Hayab, spoke on “Farmer’s and Climate Change”. Using the YALI climate change video to explain the component behind climate change and how it affects farmers, the people, and the economy. He said, ”young people need to be enticed to venture into the business of agriculture for the purpose of profit-making, to reduce unemployment and poverty”. Dr Salamatu Sukai Akor, also spoke on Human health and climate change- talking about its adverse effect on people, and how our activities gradually affect us. She mentioned that bottled water are expensive in the US, and it was a deliberate action to force people to carry their watering can which they could refill at different terminals. They also charge high fees in parking lots; this also is to encourage the use of public transport.

The event ended with a key remark from the representative of Prof. J. G. Laah (Dean, Faculty of Science). It was indeed an interesting and impactful event, as the speakers and students showed great enthusiasm and now Kaduna State University is Officially Green. There was a huge turnout of students who waited behind to inquire how they can be actively involved in the movement in Kaduna State University.