Pulse.ng : Climate change: NDA committed to good management of environment

By Muhammad Tijjani

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), says apart from military training, it is passionate about maintaining good management of the environment to combat the effects of climate change.

Its Commandant, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, said this on Wednesday at the NDA Headquarters in Afaka, Kaduna, while speaking to newsmen after a mini marathon titled “Run for Green”, organised in commemoration of the 2024 World Environment Day.

Ochai said that the NDA, being a responsible institution in the eyes of Nigerians and the nation at large, was maintaining a good and sustainable environment aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change.

He explained that they choose the theme for their celebration as “Run for Green”, considering their training schedule and the need to keep fit.

“We inculcate the habit of keeping fit in our cadets. Being physically fit is a premium for training in the NDA, one must be fit to perform the role of defending the nation,”he said.

He said that “Run for Green” also was in furtherance of a green environment.
Ochai recalled that some days ago, the NDA launched its biodiversity and conservation centre, which was aimed at regenerating the environment.

He stressed that the green revolution was on the NDA’s agenda, where it would plant one million trees.

According to him, the one million trees could be a record of the biggest concentration of human efforts in regenerating the environment.

The commandant said the exercise was also to encourage the institution’s partners and host communities to also advance the cause of a green environment and maintain healthy lifestyles by exercising to keep fit and avoid illnesses.

Earlier, the Guest of Honor, the Manager of Brewery in Kaduna, Mr Osasu Oviawe, said their participation at the NDA run for green demonstrated their commitment to reducing environmental impact and promoting green footprints.

He said that, since 2021, the brewery has been nurturing a culture of recycling among its employees with the “NB Recycles” programme.

Oviawe explained that the initiative, which offered cash incentives for bringing in recyclable wastes such as plastics, papers, and nylons, was currently in its pilot phase for their Headquarters and Lagos employees.

“It has been well-received and it is a key part of our sustainability efforts,”he said.

Oviawe equally said that their waste water treatment plant was equipped with functional ‘Waste Water Treatment Plants’ (WWTPs).

He explained that the WWTPs ensured that their waste water was treated effectively, hence discharging safe water to the environment.

The brewery manager said they have planted 237,289 trees on 215 hectares at the Olokemeji forest reserve in Ogun.

The initiative, he said, was crucial for balancing the water usage at their water-stressed sites and contributes significantly to the environmental conservation efforts.

“Looking ahead, our goal is to plant a total of 600,000 trees on 500 hectares by 2031,”he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the high points of the event was the presentation of trophies and cash prizes to the cadets who were victorious.