Mr. Segun Akinola (Right) explaining the economic viability of Jatropha Seeds to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olusola Oyewole (2nd Right), the Chairman of the occasion and others.
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has held the 2nd International Day of Fascination of Plants titled, “Plants: The Gift of Nature” at the Postgraduate Hall.
At the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole stated that the University is highly honoured for taking the lead, as the first institution to host the event in Nigeria.
Professor Oyewole said that the University had built up expertise in research, capacity building in production, as well as utilization of plants in some of its Colleges over the last 25 years because of its interest in plants.
He reiterated that plants are beneficial to mankind in the production of food, feeds, fibre, construction and beautification purposes.
The Vice-Chancellor cautioned against destroying plants as many have now been branded as ‘endangered species’, stressing that if adequate measures were not taken, they would be lost forever.
He challenged the participants to‘re-green’ Nigeria, conserve its biodiversity, mitigate the effects of climate change and safeguard the future of our beloved nation.
The Network Coordinator of the Programme, Professor Isaac Aiyelaagbe declared that the essence of the programme was to raise public awareness on the value of plants.
Professor Aiyelaagbe, Head, Department of Horticulture added that the programme involved a stakeholders meeting comprising farmers, scientists, government officials, undergraduate/postgraduate students as well as students of FUNAAB International School (FUNIS) and FUNAAB Staff School students.
He charged the participants to put more plants on planet earth, in order to reduce the adverse effects of climate change.
Professor Sam Oluwalana, Mr. Segun Akinola, Ms. Deni Brown and Dr. Moses Oyatogun delivered papers at the occasion.
Highpoint of the programme was the exhibition of various plants for purchase by guests.
