ABU's Department of Botany organises 'Plant is Life Contest' for secondary school students in Zaria
The Department of Botany, Ahmadu Bello University, has organised 'Plant is Life Contest' for secondary school students within Zaria metropolis.
The contest, with the theme: 'Empowering the Next Generation of Plant Biologists', took place at the CBN Centre for Economics and Finance, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.
Explaining the purpose of the contest, the Head, Department of Botany, Prof Ramatu Aliyu, stated that botany is the basis of life on earth, leading to security, environmental sustainability, and human well being.
Prof Ramatu said that the programme was to acknowledged the importance of plants in the daily lives of humans.
The HOD noted that the maiden edition of the contest was an innovative initiative where multinationals joined the Department as it nurtured young generation of environmental experts.
According to her, the goal was to inculcate the knowledge of plant science and its relevance in the society.
She said they invited 31 secondary schools and 275 registered participants.
Prof Ramatu thanked the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, and all invited guests for honouring their invitation.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, stated that plant lies at the very foundation of human existence, yet it is often overlooked.
Represented by the Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Prof Wilson Hamman, the Vice-Chancellor noted that plant in its simplicity is life.
The Vice-Chancellor said plants played the fundamental role of being the architect of life through the remarkable process of photosynthesis, which helps in converting sunlight to carbon dioxide from water to glucose, which is the building block of energy.
Prof Ahmed congratulated the Department and the organisers of the event for their thoughtfulness in reminding the public about a sensitive matter.
Also speaking, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Advancement, Research and Innovation, Prof Sanusi Aliyu Rafindadi, commended the Department for organising the contest.
Prof Rafindadi emphasized that the contest was important for the office he occupies because it was more of impacting translating knowledge acquired into the society.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor reiterated that nothing was more important than for the Department to organise the contest that would help in building a generation that helps life instead of destroying it.
Prof Rafindadi thanked the Department and assured them of the university's continuous support in all endeavors.
In a goodwill message, the Centre Leader, Sustainable Procurement Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement Centre, Prof W.S Japheth highlighted that the welfare of man is tired to plants.
Prof Japheth affirmed that without plant, there would not be life on earth, and sadly Nigeria has one of the highest deforestation in the world.
He said the highest number of deforestation has over the years translated to the loss of about 400,000 trees annually.
At the end of the contest, at the junior category, Vital Years Schools came first; Strong Tower Academy came second; and ABU Demonstration Secondary School came third.
At the senior category, Darul Ilm Academy came first and Vital Years Schools came second and third.
The event was attended by Directors of different research institutes and senior teaching and non-teaching staff of the Faculty of Life Sciences.
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