"UI IS FAST BECOMING CLIMATE-CHANGE COMPLIANT," SAYS DVC ADMINISTRATION
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration at the University of Ibadan, Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba, FNPA, has stated that the University is fast becoming climate-change compliant.
This, he said, is attested to by the various and deliberate afforestation efforts within the University and the signing of a few Memoranda of Understanding on Climate Change.
He spoke on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, at the brief prize presentation ceremony for winners of the Climate Risk Research Challenge-Nigeria 2023, a competition organised by the Sustainable Solutions for Greener Growth.
Professor Olapegba recalled that as part of the 75th anniversary celebrations, a tree planting exercise was carried out with the intention of planting over a thousand native trees in the 75th anniversary Tree Park created in the University.
The DVC said a Climate-Change policy is to be adopted to tackle the challenges of climate change in the community.
He commended the organisers of the competition for efforts and resources put into the project while acknowledging the importance of such a platform as a critical intervention in exposing students to happenings on the global scale beyond classroom experiences.
He noted that this will provide a good platform for students to build capacity and prepare to proffer solutions to global challenges; a task beyond their local communities.
Professor Olapegba commended the UI teams for making the University proud, saying that it was proof of the leadership traits in the genes of students of the University of Ibadan. He noted that out of the first three top contenders, UI teams were in the first and third positions. The second position was won by the University of Ilorin.
The Project Lead, Dr. Abubakar Shuaibu said the award presentation ceremony was aimed at celebrating the pioneering research efforts and dedication of student- researchers in tackling climate risk and resilience.
He said that the event underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in confronting climate challenges adding that it also served as a platform to pave the way for future initiatives.
Mr Shuaibu stated that the event sets the stage to inspire action and innovation in the realm of climate resilience with a focus on fostering dialogue, sharing insights, and building partnerships.
He admonished the winning teams to put their minds off the prizes but to leverage the experience, exposure, and collaboration gained.
The lead Professor, Professor A.E. Adekoya in a Keynote Address on Climate Risk and Resilience said resiliency is about human readiness to survive impending scenarios that could be catastrophic.
According to him, the extent of understanding and predictability of such events will arm mankind in taking the right steps adding that early warning systems are crucial.
Professor Adekoya called for high-level seriousness from the ivory tower in partnership with policy makers and other stakeholders.
The Climate Risk Research Challenge- Nigeria 2023 marked a pioneering initiative in the country. It was orchestrated by the collaborative efforts of the Climate Risk Research Foundation, Sustainable Solutions for Greener Growth, Green Energy Mission Africa, and The Linux Foundation OS-Climate.
The project invited participation from research students in Agriculture and Environmental Studies Programmes at Nigerian universities with backgrounds in agriculture, data science, remote sensing, Geographical Information Systems, climate science, environmental science, and disaster risk management.
Representation came from over 12 universities across Nigeria, and each university had the opportunity to present multiple teams during the hybrid challenge, which spanned a two-month period.
The University of Ibadan fielded two teams namely DEWSClim Innovators and Team APEX comprising both postgraduate and undergraduate students.
The supervisors were, Professor A. E. Adekoya, Dr Nathaniel Olutegbe, Dr Olushola Fadairo and Dr T. O. Osayomi.
DEWSClim Innovators were:
Team lead Peace Ikharelu Aburime (MSc. AERD); William Alabi (500 level Geography); Khadijat Aworinde (MSc. AERD); Awwal Eleshin (500 level AERD); Adewole Rebecca (MSc. AERD); and Aminat Adebayo (500 level AERD).
Team APEX was led by Seye Daniel (400 level Animal Science); Oyewale Oluwashogo Ayomide (400 level AERD); Moyin-Jesu Judah Iyinoluwa (MSc. Geography); Bello Abosede Olamide (MSc. AERD); Adeyemi Adekunle Ibrahim (MSc. AERD); Omosalewa Gloria Adams (MSc. AERD); and Aderiye Oluwaseun Ayomide (500 level Agronomy.
DEWSClim Innovators constructed a Dynamic Early Warning System to enhance climate resilience among maize farmers across agroecological zones in Nigeria while TEAM APEX focused on aiding rice farmers in building resilience to flooding and droughts through a Climate Prediction and Participatory Adaptation Information System.
The prizes were $5000, $3500, and $1500 for the first, second and third teams respectively. The University of Ibadan will receive $50,000 in cloud credits
