June 14, 2016

The DVC CDRI – Prof Isaac K Nyamongo Members of the University Management Board and Senate present Chairperson of the Student Governing Council – Collins Otundo Other members of the Student Governing Council present Invited Guests Ladies and Gentlemen Good Morning, I am truly honored  to be here this morning to take part in this Tree Planting exercise where we shall be planting and nurturing 1,500 trees, a fraction of the 10,100 trees donated to CUK by The Equity group under their 35 Million Tree planting Campaign across the country. The trees we will be planting today will include the eucalyptus, blue gum, pine and assorted indigenous trees. Prof. Isaac K. Nyamongo, Deputy Vice- Chancellor (CDRI) planting a tree In this regard, I would like to thank the Equity Group PLC for including us in this amazing campaign that is aimed at making the world and the environment better going into the future. I would also like to thank the Public Relations and Marketing Department for organizing this tree planting exercise and give a special thanks to the Environmental Club for the commendable work that you have been doing in the university with regard to environmental conservation. I also want to most sincerely appreciate the Student Governing Council for mobilizing the students to take part in this very important activity. Hongera! We are delighted to take part in this initiative that will boost the university’s, neighboring community and Kenya’s tree cover as a whole whilst serving as a reminder of the responsibility we have of improving, managing and leaving our ecological footprints within the communities where we live and operate. Through this exercise, all of us will be greatly contributing to to providing  green spaces for CUK, creating a cleaner, healthier and sustainable environment for ourselves and for our neighboring communities. Ladies and gentlemen, The environment really plays a vital role in healthy living and the existence of all living  organisms on planet earth. Earth is a home for different living species and we all are dependent on the environment for food, air, water, and other needs. It is however very sad that a great number of people have forgotten to maintain a sustainable relationship with the environment. By focusing on satisfying our food and shelter needs at the expense of the environment, trees have been cut down to pave way for population explosion, development and infrastructural needs which in turn has led to deforestation, biodiversity loss and air & water pollution which has greatly contributed to climate change. I would like to challenge each one of  us, and especially the CUK fraternity, to think  more about our environment & keep in mind that it is very important for every individual to save and protect our environment because if we neglect the environment, we will suffer the consequences of extreme weather patterns, drought & famine  which is a reality in the modern world. We must urgently do something to safeguard and protect the environment. Let us be encouraged & encourage others as well  to plant trees, conserve  the water bodies, practice sustainable waste management by reducing, reusing and recycling what we buy and use. Let us also volunteer for clean up activities in our communities and beyond and let us all research and educate ourselves on how we can conserve the environment in alternative ways leaving our planet earth a better place than we found it. Once again, I would like to thank the Equity Group, for thinking green and taking an initiative to green Kenya. I also want to thank the Environmental Club of The Co-operative University of Kenya, and all of you here today in a special way for taking part in this tree planting exercise. Ladies and gentlemen, Let me crown my remarks by wishing you all an enjoyable tree planting exercise and end with these wise words by Mohith Agadi – “The Environment is no one’s property to destroy; it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect”. God Bless you, God bless The Co-operative University of Kenya